Kieran Tierney could face a summer transfer choice with Aston Villa planning to rival Newcastle United to land him from Arsenal, according to a report.
The former Celtic star is expected to depart North London during the summer transfer window after falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta this season. Summer recruit Oleksandr Zinchenko has been the top pick in that left-side role since his switch from Manchester City but after he was ruled out injured for the final run-in, the former Rangers midfielder and Gunners boss opted to use Jakub Kiwior with Tierney havving to make do with minutes from the bench - a regular occurrence this season.
The Scotland international - who is part of Steve Clarke's squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers with Norway and Georgia - has been strongly linked with a switch to St James' Park with Eddie Howe a big admirer. They've secured Champions League football which would further aid their prospects of landing the 25-year-old.
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But The Times report Aston Villa are ready to rival the Toon Army with Unai Emery a huge fan after taking him south of the border from Celtic. The same publication state that Newcastle remains the expected destination but the Villa Park outfit have shown a strong interest in snapping him up.
They themselves will be competing on the European stage next season after securing seventh spot in the English Premier League and with that a shot at the Europa Conference League.
A final day victory over Brighton - also competing in Europe in the Europa League - secured their qualification in what has been a stunning turnaround under Emery since he took over the helm from Steven Gerrard.
Now he will be hoping his close bond with KT can be enough to convince him to chose Villa over Newcastle and any other interested parties who move for the Arsenal man.
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