Newcastle United & Aston Villa transfer target left out of matchday squad ahead of expected exit

Kieran Tierney is expected to leave Arsenal before the end of the transfer window after being left out of the matchday for the opening game of the 2023-24 Premier League season.

The Gunners hosted Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon and Tierney was absent from the 20-man squad. Summer signing Jurrien Timber started at left-back with Jakub Kiwior providing cover from the substitutes bench.

Tierney’s future has been the subject of intense speculation this summer after first losing his starting spot to Oleksandr Zinchenko. As a result, the 26-year-old made just six Premier League starts last season.

Speaking about his future last month, Tierney said: “It’s not really up to me. I’ve not had any discussions with the manager and I’m just working hard every day and trying to do as well as I can. I didn’t miss a single game because of injury last season.

“I was available for every match and always ready when called upon. I think everyone would agree that I never give less than 100 percent, whether I’m playing or not.

“You can’t play every single game every year and I don’t expect that. But I still made a lot of appearances last season coming off the bench, whether that was to see games out or help to get a goal, and I did all I could to help.”

Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Celtic have shown interest in the Scotland international but according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Spanish side Real Sociedad are currently leading the chase.

Romano tweeted: “Kieran Tierney, not selected and still expected to leave Arsenal in the next weeks. Real Sociedad, interested.

“Arsenal insist on a permanent deal for Kieran Tierney, Real Sociedad keep offering a loan deal. Negotiations will continue next week in order to reach an agreement. It remains open race to other clubs interested too.”

Newcastle could challenge Sociedad in their attempts to sign Tierney but only on a loan deal. The Magpies have spent around £130m on Yankuba Minteh, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento with Eddie Howe admitting last week the club need to be “creative” in order to seal summer signing No.5.