Tierney could stay in Champions League as Arsenal hatch new transfer exit plan

25 August 2023 , 05:30

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Tierney could stay in Champions League as Arsenal hatch new transfer exit plan

Kieran Tierney is on the verge of signing for Spanish side Real Sociedad on loan as he continues to struggle for first-team minutes at Arsenal.

The Scotland international is one of a number of playeres the Gunners are looking to offload before the window closes as Mikel Arteta looks to trim his bloated squad. The Arsenal boss was hoping to recoup some cash to balance the books after a window of heavy spending that has seen the club land the likes of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz as well as David Raya on loan.

Arsenal's preference was to part ways with Tierney on a permanent basis but Socidead have only entertained the thought of taking the former Celtic left-back on loan. Gunners sporting director Edu had been hoping to insert an option or obligation to buy clause in the deal, but failed in that endeavour.

With that being said, the LaLiga outfit have agreed to pay Tierney's wages in full and part ways with a loan fee. Sociedad were the 26-year-old's chosen destination as he wants to play regular first-team football and compete in the Champions League.

Tierney is yet to be named any of the matchday squads in the Premier League for Arsenal this season. At the beginning of the window, it seemed as if the left-back was destined to join Newcastle, but the Magpies opted to sign Lewis Hall from Chelsea instead.

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When recently pressed for comment on his club future, Tierney admitted: "It’s not really up to me, I’m happy, I’m working hard every day and getting minutes. I’m just trying to do as well as I can." He also was passionate when defending his fitnes record, given the perception among many fans is that the Scotsman is often on the treatment table.

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Kieran Tierney is expected to join Real Sociedad on loan (Getty Images)

"I never missed one game with injury last year," he claimed. "I was available every game and ready when called upon. That’s football. You can’t play every single game, every single season, every single year. I don’t expect that and I still made a lot of appearances last year.

"I was ready every game and working 100 per cent. I think everyone in there would agree with that, that I never give less than that whether I’m playing or not. In the games I did play I tried to do my best for the team. I came off the bench a lot last season whether that was to see games out or help get a goal."

In truth, the writing has been on the wall for Tierney and his Arsenal future for quite some time. He finds himself behind Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and the crocked Timber in the pecking order at left-back.

Josh O'Brien