Newcastle are mulling a move for an out-of-favour Arsenal star as part of a double deal, while Tottenham and Chelsea and sizing up a Premier League striker and two potential Man City exits have been cited – all in Monday’s Transfer Gossip.
KIERAN TIERNEY TO NEWCASTLE?
Newcastle are emerging as a genuine contender to sign Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney and his ideal replacement may already be on the books, per a report.
The Scotland international was a £25m signing from Celtic back in 2019. Tierney has struggled with persistent injuries since moving to the Emirates, though prior to this season, had always been first choice when fit.
However, the summer arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko has pushed Tierney down the order. Even when Zinchenko has been absent, Takehiro Tomiyasu has often deputised on the left side.
The end result is Tierney accruing just four league starts this term and per Football Insider, a move to Newcastle could await.
The Magpies’ current options in the position are Dan Burn and Matt Targett. However, Tierney would unquestionably represent an upgrade on both, especially in an attacking sense.
Eddie Howe’s side are stated to be ‘closely monitoring’ Tierney and are ‘in the market’ for a new left-back who’ll slot straight into their strongest eleven.
Newcastle are currently assessing their options and it’s reiterated Tierney is among those they’re considering.
He’s understood to be valued around the £30m mark. As such, if Arsenal were to cash in, they’d at least make a small £5m profit on the player.
Despite eyeing a new starting left-back, it’s also reported a new deal for Dan Burn is in the works. The ex-Brighton man has been ultra-reliable since moving to the north east and offers great versatility given he plays at centre-back too.
His current deal expires in the summer of 2024.
Ideal Tierney replacement scores sixth goal
In the event Tierney is sold, Arsenal may already have an ideal replacement on the books.
Nuno Tavares joined the Gunners from Benfica for £8m in 2021, though his first season at the club indicated he was still very raw.
The 23-year-old was loaned out to Marseille for the current campaign where he’s been nothing short of a revelation.
Deployed as a left wing-back, Tavares notched his sixth goal of the Ligue 1 campaign against Toulouse on Sunday night.
If Arsenal can refine the defensive side of his game, they’ll have no need to splash the cash on a Tierney replacement.
TOTTENHAM, CHELSEA WANT BRIGHTON STRIKER
Brighton’s latest transfer masterstroke could net them a huge profit with Tottenham and Chelsea both sizing up a lucrative move, per a report.
The Seagulls have a remarkable hit-rate in the transfer market of late. They’ve experienced tremendous success with the likes of Ben White, Yves Bissouma, and Marc Cucurella who have all been sold for monster profits.
Moises Caicedo will join that list eventually, as could the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson.
The latter, 18, has burst onto the scene this season and became Brighton’s youngest ever Premier League goalscorer when netting against Arsenal on New Years’ Eve.
Ferguson joined Brighton from Irish side Bohemians when aged just 16. He’s already a full-fledged Ireland international and has quickly established himself as Roberto De Zerbi’s first choice frontman. In just seven top flight outings thus far he’s returned three goals and two assists.
But according to the Sun, his rapid rise has also caught the eye of Tottenham and Chelsea.
The newspaper claim Spurs view Ferguson as a potential long-term successor to Harry Kane. Chelsea, meanwhile, rate Ferguson ‘highly’.
The Blues could hold an edge in any transfer battle thanks to the presence of Graham Potter and Paul Winstanley at Stamford Bridge.
The current Blues manager and director of global talent were both at the AMEX when Ferguson joined Brighton.
TWO MAN CITY EXITS POSSIBLE
A pair of Man City exits – one irreplaceable and one not so much – have been touted by varying reports.
Firstly, Football Insider claim Barcelona are keeping a close eye on Man City destroyer Rodri.
The Spain international is arguably the league’s finest holding midfielder and provides his fair share of attacking returns too.
The article states Barca have begun laying the groundwork for a permanent move to the tune of £80m. That is, of course, assuming they get their finances in order.
City reportedly fear Rodri may favour a return to his homeland in the event a suitable offer is tabled. Pep Guardiola already has Kalvin Phillips on the books in case Rodri leaves, though he’s not on the level of the Spaniard.
Elsewhere, reports out of Spain (via the BBC), report Sevilla are sizing up a loan swoop for Sergio Gomez.
The 22-year-old left-back has barely featured since joining from Anderlecht. What’s more, Guardiola’s shift to a 3-2-4-1 formation ensures there isn’t a natural role in the team.
That’s something the much higher profile Joao Cancelo found out first-hand when being shipped out to Bayern Munich on loan.
But rather than cut ties completely, it’s claimed City could simply sanction a season-long loan for Gomez come the summer. If they do, Sevilla will be fronting the queue.
