Kieran Tierney‘s proposed move to Arsenal has fallen through according to Celtic boss Neil Lennon.
Arsenal Deal For Kieran Tierney Collapses
Neil Lennon: ‘It Is Finished”
Arsenal boss Unai Emery had identified the 22-year-old as his top left-back target. However, the Spaniard will be forced to look elsewhere after the Gunners would unable to agree on a deal with Celtic for Tierney.
Emery has had his financial power reduced as a result of missing out on Champions League football. TalkSport claim that Emery has a transfer budget of just £40 million this season.
The Spaniard had hoped that a low level multi-million-pound offer would be enough to sign the 22-year-old; however, the defender has four years remaining on his contract at Celtic and the Scottish champions are holding out for a figure in excess of £20 million.
But the latest twist in the saga is that the deal is off after Arsenal were unable to meet Celtic’s valuation.
“The deal, as far as I’m aware, is not happening,” Lennon said. “We are delighted about that and it’s just a question of appeasing his mind now.
“As far as I am aware, it is finished. I don’t know if Arsenal are going to meet our valuation. So it is basically as you were.”
However, according to Sky Sports, Arsenal have not given up on signing Tierney.
Celtic have rejected Arsenal’s latest offer of £18 million, plus £7 million in add-ons. It is understood that the main stumbling block is that Celtic deem a number of the clauses as unrealistic.
According to Sky Sports, both sides are “working hard to make the deal happen.”
The 22-year-old left-back made 20 appearances for Celtic in the Premiership last term as the Bhoys won their eighth consecutive title. Tierney contributed six assists from 40 appearances in all competitions last season.
