nowarsenal.com

Arsenal officially decide to let first-team player leave in January

Arsenal 0-0 Everton

Image credit: Getty Images

Arsenal have decided not to exercise the option to extend the contract of Kieran Tierney, which is set to expire at the end of the current season, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

The Scottish full-back, who joined Arsenal from Celtic in 2019, has been plagued by injuries during his five-year spell at the Emirates, limiting his contributions. Tierney spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Real Sociedad, where he gained valuable experience playing abroad.

Upon his return, Tierney made his 125th appearance for the Gunners in the Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Crystal Palace but was forced off in the 69th minute after sustaining another injury.

READ MORE: European giants’ players expect club to sign Arsenal star in January

Arsenal had the option to extend Tierney’s contract by an additional 12 months but opted against it. The decision means the 27-year-old will leave the club on a free transfer when his current deal expires in June. According to reports, the deadline to activate the extension has passed, and Tierney has already been informed of the club’s decision.

Kieran Tierney

Kieran Tierney (Image credit: Getty Images)

This development allows Tierney to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with non-English clubs starting January 1, while a permanent transfer in the January window remains a possibility. Interest in Tierney has reportedly come from Premier League clubs, his former side Celtic, and several overseas teams.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW.ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!

David Ornstein confirmed the news in his latest piece for The Athletic, writing: “Arsenal have decided against activating an option to extend Kieran Tierney’s contract by an extra year. This means Tierney will leave the Emirates Stadium by next summer at the latest — when his contract expires — but he could also depart next month.

“The 27-year-old can sign a pre-contract agreement with non-English sides from January 1, which would see him move for free next summer. There is interest from England, an emotional attachment to former team Celtic, plus he already has experience of playing abroad following a loan spell at Real Sociedad during the 2023-24 campaign.”

NEXT ARTICLE: Ian Wright names two dream January signings for Arsenal

Read full news in source page