Tierney cover broken by Arsenal, Jota price tag and £7m winger bidding war fear – Celtic transfer state of play
Mikel Arteta has directly addressed the prospect of Kieran Tierney making a move to Celtic this month.
The Scotland left-back is inching closer to an exit from Arsenal with his contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign. The Scottish Premiership leaders are in talks over a pre-contract agreement but could move to fast-track an emotional return to Glasgow's east end for the boyhood Celtic fan - which could be fast-tracked to a January arrival either on loan or permanently if a deal gets over the line.
Tierney has made just one appearance all season for the Premier League giants and once again failed to make it off the bench during the 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle United. Arteta had previously stated he would not play stars who are heading out of the door - and since then the 27-year-old has failed to play a minute of football.
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Asked about the prospect of Tierney making a return to Glasgow's east end, he said: “There is absolutely no news. Kieran is our player.”
Elsewhere, Jota looks to be heading out of Stade Rennes after just six months after dropping down the pecking order under Jorge Sampaoli. Hoops fans are dreaming of a return to Celtic Park for the winger - but reports in Turkey suggest Besiktas are leading the signing race.
NTV Spor note that the club held an interest in the wide man before his move to Ligue 1. It is claimed that fee of around £6.7m is wanted by Rennes - as they look to recoup the money they paid Al-Ittihad to sign the Portuguese star in the summer.
Another winger who has been consistently linked with a move to Celtic is Alvyn Sanches. However, reports suggest that interest from the summer is unlikely to continue this month with Lausanne-Sport hoping a bidding war breaks out for the 21-year-old.
The Daily Mail report that Leeds, Lazio, Newcastle and Fiorentina are now said to be interested in Sanches. It is claimed that Lausanne are "confident of raking in upwards of £7m from any deal" - which means Celtic are likely to look elsewhere.
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