Second Premier League club joins race for out-of-favour Arsenal full-back

Arsenal travel to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday just days after their late heroics against Bournemouth at The Emirates. 

Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders found themselves 2-0 down after an hour against The Cherries before a late comeback, completed by Reiss Nelson’s 97th minute winner, earned them three points.

The Gunners’ title chase remains on track as they sit five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City, but it isn’t all good news for the north London outfit.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa have joined the race to sign out-of-favour full-back Kieran Tierney.

The Scotland international has struggled for game this this season following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer, and the report claims that he could be sold in order to raise funds for new signings.

Tierney, 25, has only started four Premier League matches so far this season, with his Ukrainian teammate seemingly Arteta’s first choice on the left of Arsenal’s back four.

Tierney has only started four Premier League matches so far this season and is attracting interest form elsewhere

The Scot joined Arsenal from Celtic back in 2019 and was a regular for The Gunners during his first three seasons with the club, making more than 85 appearances across all competitions.

The arrival of Zinchenko from City last summer has pushed him down the pecking order, though, and Villa have now joined Newcastle United in showing an interest in the left-back.

Tierney’s current deal at The Emirates runs until 2026, but the report suggests that Arsenal could consider selling him this summer in order to raise funds for a marquee signing.

West Ham United’s Declan Rice is said to be one of The Gunners’ prime targets for the upcoming window, but the England international won’t be cheap.

It is claimed that Scottish full-back Tierney is valued at around £30 million, slightly more than the north London side paid to sign him from Celtic four years ago.