Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic has been the worst-kept secret of the January transfer window.
With his current Gunners deal set to expire in the summer, Tierney is free to negotiate a pre-contract this month.
Given his stop-start time in North London over the last four and a half years, including a loan spell at Real Sociedad last season, it hasn’t exactly gone to plan in recent years after a positive first few years at Mikel Arteta’s side.
Injuries have been an issue for the Scottish left-back. However, at Celtic, his minutes will likely be managed, and with Greg Taylor’s future at the Hoops up in the air, a Tierney return means the chances of Taylor staying past this season are even more unlikely.
Taylor’s current deal also expires this summer, meaning the Bhoys may look to sign Tierney on loan until the summer, paying a portion of his wages, which can only be seen as a bonus for Arsenal given his hefty reported wages.
Celtic and Arsenal edging closer to a deal that would see Kieran Teirney return to Glasgow. Only stumbling block is whether he comes now or the London club keep him until summer. The player has knocked back other big clubs in England and Italy and wants to come home. pic.twitter.com/xavmjgCadN
— Chris McLaughlin (@BBCchrismclaug) January 23, 2025
It shows the passion that Tierney has for Celtic that he is reportedly willing to take a pay cut, rejecting big clubs in England and also in Italy. For all the criticism he received for joining Arsenal back in 2019, it was clearly a huge move at the time for him and more about career progression rather than the money, which can be seen in his willingness to reject big contracts to return to Glasgow.
Let’s hope that Celtic can come to some sort of agreement with Arsenal over a loan deal until the end of the season, with Chris McLaughlin reporting negotiations between Celtic and Arsenal, meaning a loan deal is now being discussed.
