Transfer Centre

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney 'closing on Real Sociedad loan'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 25 August 2023

Arsenal defender Tierney 'closing on Real Sociedad loan'

Arsenal reportedly agree a deal with Real Sociedad for defender Kieran Tierney to make the loan switch to the Spanish side.

Real Sociedad have reportedly agreed a deal with Arsenal regarding the loan signing of Kieran Tierney.

The defender has spent the last four seasons at the Emirates Stadium, making a total of 124 appearances in all competitions.

However, Tierney has had less impact as his time in North London has progressed, a consequence of Oleksandr Zinchenko arriving at the club in 2022.

Although the Scotland international was provided with 27 outings in the Premier League last season, he accumulated just 776 minutes as the majority of his games came from the substitutes' bench.

As a result, the 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a transfer away from Arsenal throughout the summer, with Manchester City, Newcastle United and Celtic all being linked at some stage.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on August 6, 2023 © Reuters

On the back of the injury sustained by Jurrien Timber, though, it felt increasingly likely that Tierney may be retained by Mikel Arteta, his versatility an asset to his squad at a time when the Gunners are back in the Champions League.

Nevertheless, Sociedad have been another team who have been monitoring any developments with the future of Tierney as they prepare for their own return to European football's showpiece competition.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the La Liga outfit have reached a verbal agreement with their Arsenal counterparts over a loan deal.

Romano says that Sociedad will pay Tierney's wages in their entirety, but Arsenal have insisted that no buy option is included in the proposal.

Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil reacts on March 9, 2023 © Reuters

With Tierney having accepted the move to the Reale Arena, a medical will now take place in due course ahead of a transfer being finalised over the coming days.

Sociedad have endured a mixed start to the new campaign, posting draws against Girona and Celta Vigo to sit down in 13th position in the standings.

Head coach Imanol Alguacil has endured a relatively quiet period in the summer transfer window, signing just Rennes defender Hamari Traore and RB Leipzig forward Andre Silva.

Tierney is in line to compete with long-serving Aihen Munoz for the left-back spot, with the 26-year-old having already supplied an assist from his two starts in 2023-24.