Newcastle United are reportedly ‘confident’ they will win the race to sign Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney.

The Scottish international joined Arsenal from his boyhood club Celtic for £25million in August 2019.

He has played over 120 times for the Gunners but lost his place in the starting XI last summer following the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Zinchenko is much more effective playing in Mikel Arteta’s inverted left-back role, with Tierney more of a flying box-to-box full-back, while the Ukrainian is naturally a midfielder.

There is no doubting Tierney’s ability, but it looks like Arsenal is no longer a good fit for him.

He will not struggle to find a new club if he wishes to leave the London club in the summer.

Newcastle are believed to be very interested in signing the 25-year-old with Eddie Howe making a new left-back one of his top priorities going into the summer transfer window.

There also appears to be interest from Aston Villa despite the January signing of Spanish left-back Alex Moreno.

According to The Times, there is ‘confidence’ at St James’ Park that they will be able to sign Tierney this summer.

The Magpies believe they are a more attractive proposition for the former Celtic youngster as they can offer him Champions League football, something he has not experienced since moving to Arsenal four years ago.

The report says Arsenal want at least £30m for the defender, with Howe’s side prepared to meet their demands.

It is said that the Gunners ‘plan’ to offload Tierney in the summer as Arteta looks to ‘raise funds’ for incoming signings.

The Spanish manager has reportedly made West Ham United captain Declan Rice his top target.

Newcastle have also been linked with the England midfielder, though it is believed Arsenal are the favourites to sign him.

As well as a new left-back, Howe is expected to pursue a new central defender, winger and midfielder.

Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby has been linked with a move to Newcastle for the best part of a year, while there is also believed to be interest in Leicester City playmaker James Maddison.

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