Arsenal face deadline day decision as fan favourite set for EMOTIONAL transfer

Suraj Radia

28 Jan 2025 09:15 CST
3 min read

One of Arsenal’s long-term servants will leave the club after agreeing an emotional transfer to his former club.

Like many Premier League sides, Arsenal have struggled to afford new signings this month due to PSR limitations, which has led to the club focusing on outgoings to try and lower their wage bill and raise funds.

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The Gunners are hoping to be active in bringing in a forward before the January transfer window closes on Monday and the first domino may have fallen in any attempts.

Numerous reports have confirmed that Kieran Tierney has agreed to return to Celtic, having left his boyhood side to join Arsenal for €27 million in 2019.

The 27-year-old has played more than 120 games in all competitions for Arsenal but he has featured in just two Premier League matches since 2023 after falling out of favour with Mikel Arteta.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Tierney has struck an agreement to rejoin Celtic in the summer, although talks are still ongoing to try and convince Arsenal to allow the Scottish international to leave this month.

© IMAGO - Kieran Tierney has agreed a return to Celtic Park.

Arsenal likely to let Tierney depart before deadline day

Tierney was a key player for Arsenal in his first seasons at the club, often captaining the side and establishing himself as a fan favourite for the Gunners.

However, his time at the Emirates was plagued with injury and eventually saw the defender loaned to Real Sociedad last season in the hopes of regaining fitness and form.

Tierney returned to Arsenal in the summer after failing to find a permanent move away but, despite a number of injuries to key defenders, he has played less than 100 minutes in all competitions this season.

With Tierney clearly a fringe member of Arteta’s squad, Arsenal will likely let him leave in order to get his wages off the books, particularly if it can help unlock an incoming for them.

No deal appear to be on the horizon for Arsenal but the club are continuing to pursue loan deals to provide cover in attack after long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.