Exclusive: Arsenal send Newcastle encouragement over Kieran Tierney deal; Edu wants replacement for summer signing

Arsenal have informed Kieran Tierney’s suitors they would prefer to sell the full-back rather than loan him out this summer, TEAMtalk understands.

Tierney’s future at Arsenal has been the subject of conjecture all summer after finding himself down the pecking order in Mikel Arteta’s plans.

Speculation over Tierney’s future has intensified after he was left out of Arsenal’s matchday squad for their Premier League season-opening win over Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Newcastle are long-term admirers of Tierney and are thought to be exploring a deal for the defender as they look to bolster their options at left-back. To that end, Tierney has been advised to quit the Gunners this summer to get his career back on track.

The Magpies, however, would prefer to take Tierney on loan as they would struggle to meet Arsenal’s asking price of £30m due to FFP regulations.

We understand, though, that Arsenal are not keen on loaning out the player and they would prefer to cash-in on him. To that end, sporting director is more open than ever to his sale and plans to use the funds from his potential departure to balance the books and boost their own transfer kitty for any further signings.

To that end, Arsenal could use any funds from Tierney’s sale to bring in a replacement for the injured Jurrien Timber. The unfortunate Dutchman faces at least seven months on the sidelines after tearing his ACL on his Premier League debut.

Arsenal want Jurrien Timber replacement

Indeed, some reports suggest Timber’s 2023/24 campaign may already be over as a result of the hugely-unfortunate injury.

Scotland international Tierney has struggled with injuries and he was forced to play second fiddle behind Oleksandr Zinchenko last season.

Indeed, he started just 15 matches for Arsenal in all competitions last season and he has only been named in the starting line-up on four occasions from January onwards.

The 26-year-old has spent the last four years with the Gunners since joining from Celtic for £25m in 2019, chipping in with five goals and 14 assists in 123 appearances across all competitions.

READ MORE: Tottenham links to Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun broken down by expert as Monaco prepare new offer