Spanish outlet Cule Mania claim that Barcelona have joined El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the race to sign Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney. The report says both sides have compiled ‘good reports’ on the Scotland international.
Tierney, 24, is said to be one of the front runners for the Arsenal captain’s armband in the summer, when Alexandre Lacazette is expected to leave. His contract at The Emirates expires at the end of June, and leave on a free.
Other than an ankle injury that saw the Celtic icon fail to get back into the Arsenal side for four games after recovering – Tierney has started 17 Premier League games for the Gunners this term, shining on the left.
He has helped Arsenal keep seven clean sheets in that time, and laid on four goal involvements – scoring one and creating three. Little surprise, then, that Barcelona have joined Madrid in the chase for the Arsenal defender.
Recent reports claimed Madrid wanted him as a replacement for Marcelo, who like Lacazette is out of contract this summer. Barcelona now want him to replace Jordi Alba – with both clubs said to have scouted the Scot.
Barcelona join Tierney chase: Next move for Arsenal star?
Tierney – once branded “phenomenal” by Sir Alex Ferguson – has three options, then. Stay at Arsenal or possible join one of Spain’s two biggest clubs. Barcelona and Madrid both need a left-back – but Madrid more so.
Alba still has a contract until 2024 and remains important to Xavi’s side. Tierney might struggle to displace him, given he has played 412 times for Barca. At Madrid, Ferland Mendy is an option but Marcelo is going.
However, Tierney’s best option would surely be staying at Arsenal, winning the armband and being the driving force behind re-establishing the Gunners in the top four. Real Madrid and Barca might be tempting, though.
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