Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Arsenal optimistic about Celtic’s Kieran Tierney despite rejected bid

Arsenal’s inactivity in the transfer market has not ended just yet, but there are reports that Gunner supporters can be optimistic of a first summer signing in the near future. After having a first bid of £15 million rejected for Celtic LB Kieran Tierney, David Ornstein reports that Arsenal will come in with an improved offer for the Scottish international:

The Premier League club had a £15m bid rejected by the Scottish champions but are expected to return with an improved offer for the 22-year-old.

There is optimism that an agreement will be reached between the two clubs, and personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block.

The Gunners will hope that Tierney is the first step in fixing what can only be described as a crisis in their back line. Known as a creative and high-work rate defender, Tierney may help bolster a side that has lacked in defensive discipline on the left (cc: Sead Kolasinac). However, Arsenal will reportedly need to fend off Serie A runner-up Napoli to sign the 22 year-old, who are also interested in signing Tierney (per Sky Sports). Rumors are that a second bid has been placed in the region of £17.5 million has also been rejected.

One worrying aspect of Kieran may be his durability. Tierney was on the injury list for 132 days last season per TransferMarkt, which limited his appearances with the Celtic first team last year. While he is currently recovering from hernia surgery, he is expected to be fit by Celtic’s Champions League qualifier in July.

Scott Willis on Twitter provided a breakdown of Tierney’s European matches:

Here is a small highlight reel of the Scottish international on YouTube: