Perry Groves says Kieran Tierney will leave Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal this summer, as he backed a possible reunion with Unai Emery at Aston Villa.
When Unai Emery was Arsenal’s manager in 2019, he purchased the Scotland international from Celtic for £25 million (Sky Sports) and he went on to become a key member of the team.
But since the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer, Kieran Tierney has become a back-up in north London and Groves added that he will be ‘gone’ this summer, as he backed a potential move to Aston Villa, or even Newcastle United, as he told talkSPORT.
At the age of 26, and with Euro 2024 around the corner, this isn’t a time for Tierney to be warming the bench because it will harm his progression.
On that note, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he leaves, but it seems as though Mikel Arteta doesn’t want the left-back to head for the exit door.
It remains to be seen what happens on that front, as Groves thinks Arsenal will be needing ‘another left-back’ this summer.
“With Arsenal, they need another left-back because Kieran Tierney is going to be gone,” said Groves. “He could go to Aston Villa or it could be Newcastle. So, again, you need to strengthen in that position.”
Aston Villa don’t need Tierney
It’s understandable that Newcastle, who are in the Champions League and looking to upgrade their left-back, would be keen to take Tierney on board.
But reports linking Villa to the former Celtic man have to be questioned because Emery doesn’t need the player, unless Lucas Digne leaves.
Even then, he has Alex Moreno, who he purchased in January, as his first-choice left-back, as the Spanish star has probably been Villa’s best player since he came in.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
