Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has been tipped to join Newcastle United this summer as he is currently “not at the level needed” by Mikel Arteta.
Tierney made a superb start to life at Arsenal following his £25m move from Celtic but he has been hampered by injuries over the past couple of seasons.
The Scotsman missed much of last season through injury, so new signing Nuno Tavares had to play regularly before he was ready.
This negatively impacted Arsenal as they narrowly missed out on a place in the Champions League. They were subsequently tempted to scour the transfer market to sign a new left-back and they ended up bringing in Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City.
Zinchenko has been favoured by Mikel Arteta this term and he has played ahead of Tierney when both players have been fully fit.
Tierney has played 26 times across all competitions this term but he has only started four Premier League games.
Last week, it was reported that Tierney is ‘frustrated’ and he is ‘plotting’ a move away from Arsenal ahead of this summer.
Newcastle United are being linked with him and ex-Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonalhor thinks he would be a “top signing” for Eddie Howe’s side.
“I think he would be a good fit at Newcastle,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.
“It really hasn’t worked for him at Arsenal. He’s probably really considering where he stands right now. He’s not getting a look in when it comes to league games.
“Arsenal are going in a completely different direction to him. He needs to sign for a club where he’s number one. That’s not going to happen at Arsenal – ever.
“Zinchenko is the number one, and we’ve even seen Tomiyasu there.
“I just don’t think he’s at the level that Arsenal need. But as a sixth-place player – I think he’d be a top signing. Get it done, Eddie Howe.”
The report from Football Insider states that Tierney is valued at around £30m, with his contract at Arsenal not due to expire until 2026.
Newcastle are in the market for a new left-back and they are also being linked with Fulham defender Antonee Robinson.
Gunners boss Arteta remained coy when asked about Tierney’s future last month. But the Spaniard refused to rule out the defender leaving later this year.
“I don’t know, I’m not thinking about that,” Arteta told reporters.
“I’m thinking about what’s best for the team and the players who earn the right to play minutes, that they all deserve.
“We’re going to try and do that in the next couple of games.”
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