Newcastle United told ‘frustrated’ £30m Aston Villa target star is a ‘great signing for them’

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes Kieran Tierney would be a great signing for Newcastle United.

The Magpies are in the market for a left-back and Tierney is a player who has featured highly on their shortlist. However, with the Gunners reportedly demanding £30million for the Scotland international, their interest has cooled for now.

The 26-year-old moved to North London from Celtic for £25m four years ago and although he’s struggled with injuries during that time, he remained fit and available throughout last season.

His future though remains uncertain after losing his spot to Oleksandr Zinchenko. Tierney made just six Premier League starts in 2022-23, including just two since Boxing Day.

Parlour has revealed he is a big fan of Tierney’s and believes Mikel Arteta should sell the player if he wishes to leave as a way of balancing the books. The Gunners are set to sign Declan Rice from West Ham for a British record £105m.

“Kieran’s Arsenal career has been a bit frustrating for him,” Parlour told JBI Training. “I really like the lad, I’ve spoken to him on many occasions, and he has really tried to do his best whenever he’s been in the team. He’s had some injury problems as well, which hasn’t helped him.

“The way that Mikel Arteta sets up his team, with Zinchenko moving into the midfield, he seems to be a better fit for the manager. You can’t ask Tierney to perform that Zinchenko role - he is an out-and-out left-sided player that loves to get forward and hug the touchline. Sometimes certain players don’t click in certain teams.

“If Tierney were to join Newcastle, I think he would be a great signing for them. Arsenal will need to balance the books this summer. If a player isn’t happy with his situation at the club or feels he should be starting more games, then sometimes you need to move them on.

“I think if you wanted to use a word to sum up Kieran’s time at the club it would be frustrating. He’s suffered some nasty injuries that have stopped him from holding down a starting place in the team. He is a top player and a top guy. Whichever club he joins if he does leave will be getting a brilliant player.”

Aston Villa have also shown an interest in Tierney. It was their manager Unai Emery who brought the player to England in 2019.