Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has reportedly urged manager Mikel Arteta to part ways with the £60 million-rated left-back Kieran Tierney, signaling a desire to welcome new world-class players to the squad.
This directive comes amid observations that the Gunners have performed admirably in Tierney’s absence, with the versatile player currently on loan at La Liga’s Real Sociedad.
Tierney’s journey at Arsenal has been marred by significant injuries, beginning with a shoulder issue in December 2019 that kept him sidelined until June 2020.
Subsequent knee injuries during the 2020/21 campaign and the need for knee surgery in the later stages of the 2021/22 season further hampered his consistent presence on the field.
The arrival of Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko in July 2022 relegated Tierney to a cover role, pushing him down the pecking order.
Seeking regular playing time, Tierney secured a season-long loan to Real Sociedad in the summer of 2023, where he has showcased impressive performances despite dealing with a hamstring injury.
While Sociedad doesn’t hold an official option to buy Tierney, reports suggest they are considering a £30 million deal to sign him permanently next summer. Arsenal, during the summer of 2023, aimed to fetch around £30 million for the Scottish international.
Journalist Dean Jones emphasizes that Arteta may not actively monitor Tierney’s progress but wishes for the left-back to succeed and secure a new permanent home.
Jones suggests that, given Tierney’s rediscovery abroad, it’s unlikely he would want to return to Arsenal, aligning his playing style with the team’s strategic direction.
As discussions about Tierney’s future unfold, attention also turns to other potential movements at the Emirates Stadium.
Journalist Paul Brown indicates that Thomas Partey may seek a fresh start in January 2024, with reported interest from Serie A giants Juventus.
Arsenal’s plans for the winter transfer window include the pursuit of a marquee striker, with Ivan Toney of Brentford and Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus topping the priority list.
In a broader transfer context, AC Milan has reportedly shown interest in a loan move for Chelsea centre-back Benoit Badiashile and is expected to contact Arsenal regarding Jakub Kiwior’s availability.
The Gunners seem poised for significant changes, aiming to enhance their squad with strategic acquisitions while potentially bidding farewell to certain players in the upcoming transfer windows.
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