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Arsenal refuse to give up on £25m Kieran Tierney transfer but line up alternative targets
ARSENAL have not given up on transfer target Kieran Tierney but are lining up alternatives if a deal with Celtic cannot be reached.
Arsenal: Celtic in a 'good position' over Tierney says Lennon
Arsenal have seen two offers rejected by Celtic as the Scottish champions are holding out for £25million for Tierney.
Gunners boss Unai Emery has stated that improving his defence this summer is a key target for the club, however, the Spaniard is limited in what transfer targets he can pursue after only being given a reported £45m budget to spend during this window.
Arsenal made an initial £15m bid for the Scotland defender, however this was quickly rejected by Celtic.
They came back with an improved bid to meet Celtic’s £25m asking price, however, as the proposal included substantial appearance-based add-ons, the offer was again turned down.
Several publications had suggested the second rejection by Celtic had ended Arsenal’s interest in the player, but according to Goal, talks are difficult but still ongoing, although a third bid has yet to be tabled.
The report also suggests the club are considering alternatives to Tierney, even though they are hopeful an agreement can be reached.
Celtic beat Estonian side Nomme Kalju 5-0 on Wednesday, in the first leg of their second qualifying round of the Champions League, and after the game Hoops boss Neil Lennon was asked if negotiations with Arsenal had ended over Tierney’s exit from Parkhead.
"I’ve no idea, to tell you the truth,” Lennon said.
Arsenal: Move for Kieran Tierney is at a ‘stalemate’ says fan
“Never say never on anything really, so we are where we are and I’ve not been told anything different from the two bids that have been rejected."
Arsenal fans will however be pleased to hear that the club are on the verge on making their second and third signings of the window.
The Gunners have already signed 18-year-old winger Gabriel Martinelli from Brazilian side Ituano and he is expected to be followed by Dani Ceballos and William Saliba.
Both players travelled to London on Wednesday to undergo medicals and finalise their transfers.
Ceballos will be joining on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid, with Arsenal fronting the player’s £3m wages, as well as paying Los Blancos a loan fee.
Arsenal: Kieran Tierney ‘torn’ on move says expert
As for Saliba, the talented prospect won’t be staying in north London long, as the 18-year-old will be loaned back to the Ligue 1 side next season - Saint Etienne insisted that it was a non-negotiable condition on a transfer being agreed.
Emery has also told the Arsenal board to send free agent Dani Alves an offer.
The Brazilian right-back is currently without a club after finishing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the Gunners will face competition from several clubs for the 36-year-old, with Tottenham and Manchester City also interested in bringing the defender to the Premier League.