Reports: Manchester City plotting a move for Kieran Tierney
Arsenal are braced to receive an approach from Manchester City for Kieran Tierney. That’s what sources have told Football Insider, who claim the Premier League champions are actively working behind doors to manufacture a deal for the Scottish left-back.
Tierney, a fan favourite at the Emirates stadium, has seen his game time significantly reduced following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s arrival. The latter has featured in 25 league games, more than he had for Manchester City in any of his five seasons at the club.
Tierney, meanwhile, has registered a tick over 600 minutes in the PL and completed the full 90 minutes only twice. Injuries have been a chink in the armor of a player otherwise considered one of the most determined and valuable assets of the Gunners line-up.
Part of that has been the reason for Arsenal’s pursuit of Zinchenko. And much to his credit, the Ukrainian has slotted seamlessly in the various roles tasked to him by Mikel Arteta – from a flat full-back position to someone who chops into midfield to exhibit control in possession.
Over the years, many players have made the switch from Arsenal to Manchester City and vice versa, with the clubs having worked in tandem on several occasions. If it were to come to fruition, this could be another deal in the making.
Pep Guardiola’s side are racking up one of the most remarkable runs seen in modern-day football, a streak that comprises 18 matches unbeaten across all competitions.
A run that’s all the more astonishing as they’ve largely outplayed opponents with unconventional full-backs, who, by trade, are center-backs.
Ahead of next season, Guardiola will know he has to bolster his ranks at the back to continue adapting, competing, and winning.
Tierney, 25, is a traditional left-back who operates in a classic manner, overlapping, underlapping, and hugging the touch line. Guardiola loves width in his attacking, thereby making a fantastic case for the former Celtic man to inject that effervescent energy on the left-hand side that City so dearly miss at times.
Tierney himself has never been used to playing the role of supporting cast in his career thus far. He lifted the lid on the same earlier in January, stating “I’ll just keep trying every day to do the best I can, work hard and, when called upon, give everything. I’ve not started many games. But there’s also only a few games where I’ve not come on.”
Tierney continued “There are different ways you can vent your disappointment. One way is to not try and openly show you don’t care. But there’s another way — you work hard and give your all for the team, you try to push as much as you can and, when called upon, you give everything.”
His valuation is somewhere around £30 million, which in today’s market would be a steal if he can keep himself fit for the best parts of the season. The above reports have also led us to believe that Aston Villa and Newcastle – two teams highly likely to achieve European football next season – are aiming to cash in on Tierney as well.
Alex Moreno’s inclusion in the Aston Villa team has already become one of the many success stories of the club this term. They also have a brilliant back-up in the form of Lucas Digne at their disposal as well.
Newcastle United on the other hand would benefit massively, carving open the prospect of fielding two creative full-backs together – Tierney and Kieran Trippier.
The opportunity to win titles and train under Guardiola is, however, an enticing variable for players to move to the blue half of Manchester.
Tierney’s transfer saga could gather speed in the summer. For now, the focus for Guardiola and Man City will be on their game against West Ham at the Etihad.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
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