Newcastle United dealt fresh transfer blow as Champions League rival’s sporting director ‘arrives for talks

Newcastle United could be set to miss out on one of their reported transfer targets.

The Magpies have already been busy in this window, spending big to land the likes of Sandro Tonali, Tino Lavramento and Harvey Barnes, but they may yet make further signings. Eddie Howe and his recruitment staff know they will need to balance the books to secure further incomings, with the club having spent significantly over the last year or so.

That could delay any further incomings until late in the window, and that could mean the club miss out on some of their targets.

One of those reported targets is Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney, who may be on the lookout for a new club amid reduced appearances for the Gunners following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer. According to Diario AS, one of Newcastle’s possible Champions League rivals Real Sociedad are now looking to sign Tierney.

La Real recently moved on from initial targets Junior Firpo, Bernat and Sergio Reguilon, and they are now said to be concentrating on the signing of Tierney, who is valued at around £25million-£30million. It’s claimed La Real chief Roberto Olabe travelled to London on Monday, and he will initially hold talks with Arsenal in the hopes of wrapping up a deal for the Scotland international.

He will then reportedly head to Manchester in the hopes of wrapping up a deal for Red Devils star Donny van de Beek, who looks to be heading to Spain after failing to convince at Old Trafford since his big money arrival. Tierney has recently spoken about being happy with playing a supplamentary role, but his head may well turn when he is offered a starting role in another Champions League side, and no less a Champions League side who should, on paper, enjoy a good season domestically and in Europe.