ARSENAL WILL NEED to offer “a lot more” than £15 million if they want to prise Kieran Tierney away from Celtic, says Hoops boss Neil Lennon.
The Gunners opened the bidding for the highly-rated defender at that figure, but saw their approach knocked back.
John Hartson has branded that figure an “embarrassment”, with it suggested that those at Emirates Stadium will need to get closer to the £25m mark in order to land the 22-year-old.
Lennon has not revealed what Celtic are looking for in any transfer negotiations, but he has made it clear that the Scottish champions will not be parting with a prized asset for any less than they consider him to be worth.
When asked if another bid had been tabled, the Bhoys manager told reporters: “Not that I’m aware of. Arsenal are aware of what we value the player at. He’s on a long-term contract, he’s an asset and we don’t want to sell him.
It’s going to have to take a lot more than what they’ve offered the first time around to give us a decision to make.
“I’ve had a chat with him as it can be a difficult decision and bit unsettling. I’ve been there myself so it’s important that we support him regardless of the outcome.”
While Celtic are reluctant to part with Tierney, their resolve is expected to be tested over the coming weeks.
A move away from Parkhead for the talented left-back has been mooted for some time, with it likely that his full potential will be unlocked outside of Glasgow.
Former Scotland international Charlie Adam expects that to be the case, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think it’s probably now time for him to leave Celtic.
It’s the next progression for his career. Seeing how well Andrew Robertson’s progressed at Liverpool, as a player you’ve got to be thinking, ‘I want some of that’.
“He’s done amazing at Celtic, winning the treble-treble. It’s going to be difficult for him to leave because he is a big Celtic fan, but if Arsenal do want him, they’ll have to pay serious money for him.”
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Even £25m seems cheap.
25 million still too cheap I hope celtic hold out for more . Also wish it was a club with ambition to challenge for trophies going for him because I think he has the potential to be one of the best if not the best left backs in the world . I know people will laugh at that but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him have a bad game and at his age to have made the impact he has I think he can be whatever he wants .
@Niall James Fergal McCormack: he’s not even the best Scottish left back.let him go to the premier league and do what Robertson has done.never injured and always top class.
Honestly if Bazooka from Crystal Palace is 50 million Tierney is worth more. If he was English the price would off the charts but he ain’t so Arsenal will try and low ball.
@Patrick McHugh: tierney plays in the Scottish league. Wan bissaka plays against hazard sane etc and has done unbelievable against them. He plays in a tough league tierneys league is mediocre 20 mil is right
@Hirving Lozano: Tierney has played champions league and international football over years. Wan bissaka isn’t a guranteed starter for the england u21s.
@Bill Clay: he didn’t start because of the rumours that English coach is a worse version of Alan pardew. That guy that scored 2 goals against Liverpool for red star Belgrade is he worth 25 million or more.
@Bill Clay: and how are his stats in the champions league and internationals? Says more about the quality difference between the two international sides than it does about Tierney.
@Patrick McHugh: that’s the strange criteria. If they’re English the price goes through the roof for some reason
@Hirving Lozano: van dyke
Arsenal are run awfully they have a transfer budget of 40 million. There buying saliba for 25 million leaving 15 million which they bidded on tierney. Aubameyang is strongly linked with a 70 million deal to united and it looks very likely turning 30 a ridiculous amount to get for him just the ed Woodward type signing though. Main reason to sell though is because zaha is wanted badly by emery and palace want 80 million so aubameyang has to go. Like arsenal could attract quality players if only they had a owner who cared about arsenal not his American football team
@Hirving Lozano: well said
25mill is cheap. But I think Celtic will accept 22/23.