Arsenal set to receive loan offer with defender in talks over emotional transfer

Celtic have opened negotiations with Kieran Tierney over a summer move and are now actively exploring whether he could be available on loan for the second half of the season.

The Scottish left-back, who won four SPFL titles with the Hoops before moving to north London in a £25million deal in 2019, is out of contract in June.

Tierney is understood to be keen on a return to Glasgow and is willing to make the move happen - either now or ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Arsenal are set to command a small fee for the all-action defender, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad in Spain. He recently made his first Arsenal appearance since the 2023 Community Shield in the 3-2 Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Crystal Palace.

However, the Gunners recently decided they would not be triggering a one-year extension option in the Scotland international's contract meaning he's been free to speak with foreign clubs since January 1.

Celtic would be prepared to wait until the end of the season to land their former player but with Greg Taylor out of contract in May and Alex Valle set to return to Barcelona, Brendan Rodgers would like to strengthen his squad as quickly as possible, particularly after the 3-0 defeat to Rangers.

Speaking in late December, Mikel Arteta made it clear he had welcomed back Tierney, signed by Unai Emery, with open arms.

Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Spaniard said: "At the moment he’s here with us. I wouldn’t play a player that is thinking about leaving or is not committed to us, so he’s fully committed. He’s enjoying playing after a long period again with a really tough injury, so live the moment. He’s a big part of the squad now, he deserves to be in the squad and played really well after such a long time, so that’s the only thing I can say."

Should Tierney be sold or loaned, Arsenal appear more likely to keep hold of Polish defender Jakub Kiwior. The versatile centre-back, who can also play at left-back, has been the subject of fresh interest from Marseille.

Kiwior has been left frustrated by his lack of minutes this season and also has a market back in Italy where he previously played for Spezia. Arteta still values the player, however, who excelled in December when he helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Manchester United and the Gunners are reluctant to notable weaken their options following an injury-ravaged campaign.

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