‘World class’ £30m Aston Villa transfer target backed to join Newcastle United

Former Scotland striker Kenny Miller has described Newcastle United target Kieran Tierney as ‘world class’ and believes the defender should leave Arsenal this summer.

The Gunners left-back has been consistently linked with a move to St James Park in recent months after struggling to find a regular spot in Mikel Arteta’s side last season. There have been reports suggesting talks have been held between the Magpies hierarchy and their Arsenal counterparts but an agreement on a fee for Tierney is still some distance away.

Manchester City and Aston Villa are also said to be showing an interest in the former Celtic star but Newcastle are believed to be the front-runners to secure his services as the Magpies look to strengthen their options at left-back ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Tierney has shown plenty of ability at the highest level during his time at Celtic and Arsenal and he has shone at international level in earning 38 caps with Scotland. Former Celtic and Rangers striker Miller is not surprised the 26-year-old has ‘a number of options’ and believes he is too good to be a squad player no matter where he starts next season.

“I think he probably needs to now,” former Scotland forward Miller told BBC Scotland’s Sportsound.

“When he plays, he’s a world class left-back. To play regular football, he probably needs to step away from Arsenal. There will be lots and lots of teams that will take it. He’ll have loads of potential suitors. If he moves, he’ll have a number of options. If he’s not going to be getting a game, he’s too good to sitting as part of a squad.”

“It doesn’t seem to affect his performances at an international level,” Miller said on Tierney’s lack of game time at Arsenal.

“When you’re playing week in, week out, there’s maybe just a different edge to your game. I think there’s potentially more in him from what we’ve seen.

“He’s one of our best players. A move to Newcastle with everything that’s going on at that place at the moment would be a really big step.

“Champions League football as well, so he’s not going to be stepping away from that level.”