£30m Premier League star expected to join Newcastle United instead of Aston Villa

Newcastle United have emerged as favourites to sign Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney.

Eddie Howe will be handed funds to strengthen his squad this summer having already sealed a return to Europe with three games to go. A place in next season’s Europa League is guaranteed but the Magpies have their eyes on a much greater prize, the Champions League.

Although Liverpool’s form has caused some panic on Tyneside, Newcastle’s top four fate remains in their own hands, and two wins from playing Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City and Chelsea will secure a return to Europe’s elite for the first time in 20 years.

To compete on four fronts - the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europe - Howe is eyeing several new additions, including a left-back, centre-back central midfielder and wide forward.

One player who is strongly under consideration is Arsenal’s Tierney and according to The Times’ Gary Jacob, the Scotland international is expected to move to St James’ Park at the end of the season, despite interest from Aston Villa.

Newcastle have been a little light at left-back this campaign. Dan Burn is a recognised central defender but has played most of the campaign at there, while summer signing Matt Targett has been restricted to just five Premier League starts.

Similar to Targett, Tierney has endured a frustrating year at the Emirates. The 25-year-old has only started just two league games since Boxing Day, although will start remaining games against Nottingham Forest and Wolves following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s calf injury.

Tierney moved to North London from Celtic for £25million in 2019. He’s struggled with injuries during that time but has remained fit and available throughout the 2022-23 season.

Asked if Tierney could leave in the near future, Mikel Arteta said in March: “I don’t know, I’m not thinking about it. I’m thinking about what’s best for the team, obviously, and the players with the right to play minutes which they all deserve and we’re going to try to do that in the next couple of games.”

An offer of around £30million could convince Arsenal to sell their current second-choice left-back. Arteta could put the funds towards signing either West Ham United’s Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

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