Arsenal are about to send Kieran Tierney on loan to La Liga side Real Sociedad, according to multiple reports.
Tierney has fallen out of favour at Arsenal, so has been linked with an exit all summer. Now, with the transfer deadline approaching, he is set to get his wish. Various outlets are confirming that Real Sociedad are on the verge of signing him.
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, the two clubs are ‘close to reaching an agreement’ for Tierney to spend the season in Spain. There would, however, be no option or obligation for Real Sociedad to buy him at the end of the spell.
Nevertheless, they will pay Arsenal a loan fee to take him and also cover his full salary. The plan is for the Scotland international to travel to Spain over the weekend for his medical.
There are two reasons why Tierney has chosen La Real as his preferred next club. First, they can offer him more guarantees about playing regularly. In addition, they will be competing in the Champions League next season.
Tierney has not played in UEFA’s top tournament since he left Celtic. Arsenal have qualified for it at long last this season, but it will be preferable for Tierney to experience the competition again with as much time on the pitch as possible.
Widespread reporting of Tierney to Real Sociedad
Other sources such as talkSPORT are also relaying that Tierney is closing in on a move to the Basque Country. It will be his first experience of playing for a club in mainland Europe.
Once his spell in Spain ends, there will still be two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium. He has made 124 appearances for Arsenal since his 2019 transfer from Celtic, but it remains to be seen if he will get the chance to add to them further down the line
There had been rumours of Tierney returning to Celtic this summer to reunite with Brendan Rodgers. However, he has chosen a completely fresh challenge.
In San Sebastian, he will become the seventh non-Spanish member of Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad squad.
It is not yet clear if Arsenal have any late plans to replace him in the current transfer window. Earlier this summer, they strengthened their defence with the signing of Jurrien Timber from Ajax, but he will be out for the long term after suffering an injury.