Newcastle United are considering making a bid for Chelsea’s Lewis Hall as an alternative to Kieran Tierney. Hall, 18, has been identified as a candidate to join Eddie Howe at St James’ Park this summer. There had been a suggestion that the Magpies were keen on signing KT from Arsenal but it appears that they have moved on to the Chelsea youngster.
Alan Nixon, via Topskills Sports UK on Twitter, has updated supporters to say that a bid is imminent but that the Stamford Bridge side would be holding out for £60m.
Arsenal had been only keen on a loan deal and you would imagine that this is because they see Newcastle as a potential rival moving forward. This is likely a factor in Chelsea being reluctant to sell him to The Toon as well.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 30: Kieran Tierney of Celtic and Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic share a joke as they walk out prior to the Celtic Training Session prior to the Group B UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Bayern Muenchen on October 30, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
For Celtic, however, this news is pertinent as it could continue to clear an opening for a Celtic return for Tierney. The 26-year-old has been tipped for a sensational (even marquee) return to his boyhood club. Clearly Mikel Arteta has decided that he will not be continuing with the Scotland Internationalist.
You would imagine that Arsenal’s stance on Tierney would soften towards the end of the window. Even if Timber’s injury is as bad as is feared, Arteta is mentioned as wanting to bring another defender in rather than utilise Tierney down the left.
Brendan Rodgers has an obvious connection with the player other than the club connection but has refused to comment on links on the return. Celtic are said to be in the market for a left back with Merlin from Nantes mentioned but if a Tierney is available, the former £25m defender would certainly be an option.