Aston Villa are reportedly interested in Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, as he looks set to leave the Gunners this summer.
Villa are expected to be active in the transfer market as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his squad and build a group capable of competing at the top level across multiple fronts next season.
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According to The Times, Tierney could be on his transfer shortlist as although Newcastle Utd are said to be in a stronger position to land his signature at this stage, Villa are keen on the Scottish international and Emery will know him relatively well following their brief stint together at Arsenal previously.
The Spaniard’s judgement will be trusted this summer and rightly so, as not only has he improved the squad, both collectively and individually, since being appointed, but the signing of Alex Moreno in January has proven to be a major positive too and given Emery’s experience and pedigree, he’ll know what he needs to make us better.
That said, Tierney was restricted to a largely bit-part role at Arsenal last season, and he has had trouble with injuries in the past and so that would raise question marks over his reliability.
Further, and perhaps more pertinent, is the fact that we already have two left-backs to choose from in Moreno and Lucas Digne, and so that doesn’t particularly seem like a position that needs to be addressed further this summer, unless an exit for the latter is being considered.
Time will tell if Villa do offer stern competition to Newcastle for Tierney in the coming days and weeks, but there will surely have to be a significant shift in the situation, provided the suggestion of our interest is accurate.
When fit, the Scottish defender has shown his ability in both phases of the game, but his offensive strengths will no doubt make him an attractive proposition given how influential Moreno has proven to be on that flank for us.
Still only 25 years of age too, he has a long way to go in his career, but it remains to be seen if that involves a new chapter as a Villa player being opened this summer if Emery feels a player with his characteristics is still needed in his squad.
