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WORLD FOOTBALL

    Arsenal Reportedly Optimistic Despite Kieran Tierney Bid Rejection by Celtic

    Gianni Verschueren@ReverschPassX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistJune 22, 2019

    GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 19: Kieran Tierney of Celtic with the League Trophy during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Heart of Midlothian FC at Celtic Park on May 19, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
    Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

    Celtic have reportedly rejected an opening bid of £15 million from Arsenal for full-back Kieran Tierney, but the Gunners are optimistic a deal will be made.

    Per BBC Sport's David Ornstein, negotiations with Celtic are ongoing, while it is believed the Gunners and Tierney should easily agree to personal terms:

    David Ornstein @bbcsport_david

    As reported elsewhere Arsenal have had an opening bid of £15m for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney rejected - but there is optimism an agreement will be reached between the clubs, while personal terms for the 22-year-old Scotland international shouldn’t be a problem #AFC #CelticFC

    Betting company Ladbrokes believes £15 million isn't nearly enough for the Scottish international:

    Ladbrokes @Ladbrokes

    According to reports, Celtic have rejected a £15m bid from Arsenal for left-back Kieran Tierney It's yet to be confirmed which leg they were bidding for 😃 #CelticFC https://t.co/d6SfCrsdgv

    Former Gunner and Celtic man John Hartson agreed:

    John Hartson @JohnHartson10

    My old club Arsenal testing the waters with reported 15m bid for Kt. Celtic don’t want to sell besides that in this current market 15m is an embarrassment to the player and his ability.

    The Celtic academy product made his debut in 2015 and has been a regular for the Scottish giants for four years.

    He's won the Scottish Premiership with the club in five straight years—although he made just two appearances in the 2014-15 campaign—and he has claimed the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year three times. 

    The left-back has long been regarded as one of the best talents in Scotland, and a transfer south of the border seems just a matter of time. 

    He has previously been linked with Manchester United, per Daily Mail's Jack Gaughan, while Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in the past, per the Mirror.

    An attacking specialist, Tierney has bags of athleticism and excellent positional awareness, while he can also contribute with goals and assists. Defensively, he's a work in progress, but at the age of 22, he has plenty of room for growth.

    A full-back duo of Tierney and Hector Bellerin could do plenty of damage next season, but Arsenal will have to put a far better offer on the table to make that a reality.