REAL SOCIEDAD are front-runners to sign Kieran Tierney with negotiations ongoing with Arsenal for a season-long loan deal.
SunSport understands Tierney is keen on the move to the La Liga side – who are also in the Champions League group stages – with the opportunity to get back playing regularly in one of the top five leagues in Europe.
Boyhood team and first club Celtic had been named bookies favourites to secure a sensational return for the 26-year-old they sold for a record £25million in 2019.
And talk rose to fever pitch after previous favourites Newcastle United, who had a long standing interest in the Scotland star, suddenly moved instead this week for Chelsea’s Lewis Hall on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent deal next summer.
However, while Tierney himself had left the door open for a stunning second spell in Paradise, and Celts boss Brendan Rodgers then refused to rule it out, it’s believed Real Sociedad are now in pole position for his signature.
It’s understood the Hoops at no point have made any formal approach to the Gunners.
The finances of even just a loan deal – with Tierney on a six-figure weekly wage and a seven-figure loan fee also required – always looked a huge, unrealistic ask for the Parkhead hierarchy who have still considered attempting an audacious swoop.
But Real are now hoping to secure an agreement over the new few days.
Tierney was pictured training alone earlier today and that sparked rumours he’d been banished by boss Mikel Arteta.
But there was no truth in that with Arteta understanding of the player’s situation and desire to head out for regular action.
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Arteta remains a big fan of FA Cup winner Tierney who was brought to Arsenal by predecessor Unai Emery.
But the defender is now on the fringes of the Arsenal first team squad and there is a recognition of Tierney’s need to be playing regularly elsewhere.
Tierney remains under contract with the Gunners until 2026.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
