Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney is set to rejoin Scottish giants Celtic this month, marking a homecoming for the Scotsman who has struggled for game time at the Emirates Stadium.
While the Gunners prepare to face North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening, much of the focus at the club remains on transfer activity. Arsenal is actively seeking reinforcements in attack following injuries to Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Ethan Nwaneri. However, an outgoing transfer appears to be the immediate priority.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between Arsenal and Celtic are nearing completion. Romano confirmed via social media platform X that the deal is “on,” building on his earlier report from January, which stated: “Negotiations underway for Kieran Tierney to return to Celtic from Arsenal. Discussions are taking place. The 27-year-old fullback is keen on the move, and talks continue to reach a full agreement.”
Tierney’s Limited Role at Arsenal
This season, Tierney has made just two appearances under Mikel Arteta due to a hamstring injury. He played seven minutes against Manchester United in the FA Cup last weekend, with his other appearance coming in the Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace in December.
After the Crystal Palace match, Arteta commented on Tierney’s situation:
“At the moment, he’s here with us. I wouldn’t play a player who is thinking about leaving or is not committed to us. He’s fully committed, enjoying himself after a tough injury period. He’s a big part of the squad now and deserves to be here.”
Interest from West Ham and Brentford
Tierney had attracted interest from clubs like West Ham, Brentford, and Leicester City. Reports suggested West Ham had reached a deal in principle with Arsenal, but Tierney was not keen on the move.
Instead, a return to Celtic, where he made 170 appearances and won four Scottish Premiership titles between 2015 and 2019, seems imminent. During Celtic’s recent 3-0 win over St. Mirren, fans chanted Tierney’s name, a move criticized by manager Brendan Rodgers:
“He’s an Arsenal player, so I won’t speak about it. Singing for another player, no matter his history, shows a lack of respect for Greg Taylor, who has been amazing for the club.”
While the transfer is not yet finalized, Tierney appears set to return to the club where his professional journey began.
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