Aston Villa are reportedly targeting a move for Arsenal outcast Kieran Tierney, as Mikel Arteta makes a contingency plan.
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has fallen out of favour at the Emirates over the past year, following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s move.
Zinchenko was first choice, leaving Tierney down the pecking order. Now Birmingham Live have reported that Mikel Arteta has begun planning for life after the Scottish full-back.
This comes as a development after last month, when Aston Villa were named as one of the clubs keen on signing the 26-year-old.
Unai Emery has signed the Scot before, bringing him to Arsenal months before his sacking, and will now be hopeful of a reunion at Villa Park.
Tierney made just six Premier League starts last season, and was highlighted as a potential departure long before the window opened.
Why Arsenal might sell Tierney
Despite being willing to part with him, Arteta has long been full of praise for Tierney.
The Arsenal boss raved about the Scot following a cameo last August. He told press, “For example, with Kieran, when he came on, he was fantastic. He hasn’t played for four months, he came in and really helped the team get close (to the finish line).”
Quite simply however, Tierney, who was signed for £25m, no longer fits into the style of play that Arteta is demanding. Despite being solid technically, in comparison with the current first choice left-back the levels are staggering.
Seemingly aware of Tierney’s likely move, Arteta has made a contingency which involves youngster Lino Sousa according to Football London.
This is no slight on the Scot however. He is a top class defender and would be a wonderful acquisition for Villa. He could provide competition for Lucas Digne while also being perfectly capable in central defence, should Emery opt for a more fluid line-up.
Tierney is likely to make the move, especially as the Gunners continue their high spending summer, and Villa can be the side to capitalise on his departure.
