Newcastle United are reportedly the favourites to land an Arsenal star who will soon discuss his future with Mikel Arteta, despite rival interest from Manchester City.
Newcastle have signed one senior player so far this summer, with Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali arriving from Serie A giants AC Milan. Tonali has penned a five-year contract at St James’ Park after Newcastle paid Milan €70million (£60m) for him. Tonali is now the most expensive Italian player of all time, ahead of other stars such as Jorginho, Gianluigi Buffon and Federico Chiesa.
With Eddie Howe currently preparing his squad for a huge return to the Champions League, it is likely Newcastle will sign a couple more players before the transfer window is complete.
Howe is eager to improve his winger ranks and long-term target Moussa Diaby remains on his radar. But at the moment, it seems Newcastle are pushing to capture Harvey Barnes from Leicester City instead.
Howe also hopes to find a new left-back who is more mobile and attack-minded than current option Dan Burn. Newcastle’s two-man shortlist to improve the position featured Antonee Robinson of Fulham and Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney.
On Friday, Robinson signed a new five-year deal with Fulham, which has forced Newcastle to put all their effort towards landing Tierney.
READ MORE – Newcastle transfers: Eddie Howe closing on next summer signing as bargain price emerges for talented winger
Man City have also been tipped to sign the Scot, but Newcastle now have the finances to compete with Pep Guardiola’s side thanks to their wealthy owners.
According to the latest from Football Insider, Newcastle have brushed City aside and are now ‘in pole position’ for Tierney.
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While Newcastle are actively exploring a move for Tierney, City are simply keeping tabs on his situation right now.
It is claimed the ‘door has opened’ for Newcastle amid showdown talks between the full-back and Arteta. The pair will discuss Tierney’s place in the Arsenal squad in a meeting next week.
It is highly likely that Tierney will tell his manager he wants to leave so he can become a first-team regular elsewhere, having fallen behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in the pecking order at the Emirates.
Arsenal hero Ray Parlour recently named the 26-year-old as a potential ‘great signing’ for Newcastle. He said: “The way that Mikel Arteta sets up his team, with Zinchenko moving into the midfield, he seems a better fit for the manager.
“You can’t ask Tierney to perform that Zinchenko role – he is an out-and-out left-sided player that loves to get forward and hug the touchline. Sometimes certain players don’t click in certain teams.”
Parlour then went on to mention Newcastle. “If Tierney were to join Newcastle, I think he would be a great signing for them. Arsenal will need to balance the books this summer,” he added.
“If a player isn’t happy with his situation at the club or feels he should be starting more games, then sometimes you need to move them on.”
Meanwhile, TEAMtalk understands Newcastle have made a late attempt to sign a top-class star ahead of Bayern Munich.