Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is close to signing a pre-contract agreement with Celtic.
With Arsenal deciding not to exercise their one-year option in Tierney’s contract, the left-back will become a free agent at the end of the season. The Scotland international is able to sign a pre-contract with a club outside the Premier League from this month, and that is what Celtic are trying to do.
The Arsenal left-back has given his full blessing over a return to the Scottish Premiership giants and has subsequently turned down all other offers to secure a return to Celtic Park.
Celtic’s main objective is to make sure they are able to get Kieran Tierney on a free transfer next summer, but TEAMtalk understands that they have not given up hopes of signing him on a loan deal in the January window.
The Scottish Premiership leaders have been trying for a loan deal this month, but there are difficulties.
While Arsenal would be willing to send Tierney out on loan for the rest of the season and also pay a portion of his wages, the Premier League club would be looking for a loan fee of £2.5m.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has previously dismissed suggestions that Tierney could leave in January, but Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has been coy about a potential return for the star left-back, having worked with him at Celtic Park before he left for the Gunners in 2019.
