Kieran Tierney: Celtic closing in on deal to re-sign Arsenal defender five-and-a-half years after leaving club | Football news

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Celtic are close to agreeing pre-contract terms with Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney.

The 27-year-old, who has entered the final six months of his Arsenal contract, has been in talks over a return to Glasgow this summer.

The Hoops are also expected to explore the possibility of taking Tierney on loan until the end of the season, particularly if they qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds.

Tierney has been told he can leave the north London club by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.

He missed the first three months of the season with a serious hamstring injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024 and has made just two appearances for the Gunners in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup since returning to fitness.

Asked about the 27-year-old leaving this month, Arteta said: “All the players who are here will just focus on influencing the team. If something happens, we will assess it.”

Kieran Tierney has 47 Scotland caps
Picture:
Kieran Tierney has 47 Scotland caps

Sky in Italy report that Como are interested in a loan move for Barcelona left-back Alex Valle, who is currently on loan at Celtic.

They understand that any move for Valle is dependent on Tierney joining Celtic this month.

Meanwhile, there is currently no agreement on a new contract for current Celtic left-back Greg Taylor, whose deal expires in the summer.

Rodgers mouthed Tierney move

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers on a potential return to the club for Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and his January transfer plans.

Earlier this month, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers refused to be drawn on whether he plans to bring Tierney back to Celtic, although he described the Scotland and Arsenal left-back as “one of us”.

“Yes, we will always be associated with top players, and especially players who are one of us,” Rodgers said.

“Kieran was an important part of a really, really successful period when I was here and his talents then took him on to another challenge in the Premier League.

“So, yes, we will be linked with a lot of names, Kieran obviously, obviously because of his situation. But for us, we will only tell you when we sign a player, when he has signed.”

Why a Celtic return could tempt Tierney

Tierney made more than 170 appearances for Celtic and won five Scottish Premier League titles during his time with the club.

speaks to The Currie Club podcast with Darrell Currie in 2022, Tierney did not rule out a return to Celtic:

“I think when a player who loves the club leaves, there’s always that ‘what if he comes back’ and you can’t rule anything out,” he said.

“I will always love Celtic, I will always support Celtic, so you never know in football.”

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