Sources: Celtic ace poised to quit in deal worth £45m in fee & wages
By Wayne Veysey
Kieran Tierney is close to joining Arsenal from Celtic in a deal worth nearly £45million in fee and wages, Football Insider has learned.
The Scottish giants have held extensive talks over the transfer of the left-back, 22, and a third official bid of £25million is set to be tabled by the Londoners in the coming days that will finally secure an agreement.
An Arsenal source has told Football Insider that Tierney has agreed personal terms with the club, including a bumper signing-on fee and a five-year contract that will triple his wages to £75,000-a-week.
The Gunners are set to submit a new offer with a payment structure that will satisfy Celtic and result in them accepting it, and giving the green light for their academy product to head south of the border.
Arsenal are confident of completing the signing of Tierney before the transfer cut-off on 8 August, and bringing to an end detailed negotiations with the Glasgow giants.
Celtic have previously not been content with the deal offered by Arsenal, who had wanted to split the cash across instalments to lower their initial outlay.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has given his full backing to the extended pursuit Tierney and is convinced he has the potential to be one of the outstanding left-backs in the world.
Celtic have signed a replacement for Tierney by recruiting Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo earlier in the summer.
Manager Neil Lennon has made no attempt to hide the possibility that the five-times league winner will be sold if the Hoops' asking price is met.