Aston Villa join Newcastle United in race for £25m Arsenal defender

Aston Villa have reportedly joined Newcastle United in the transfer race for Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney. 

The 25-year-old has been on the fringes of the squad this season, making only five Premier League starts so far. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko, who arrived from Manchester City in the summer, has been Mikel Arteta’s first-choice left-back, with the Scot mainly featuring off the bench. 

Tierney’s current contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in 2026, but he could leave in the summer transfer window. 

Newcastle have been credited with an interest in the Scotland international, with the Magpies reportedly confident of securing his signature. 

However, according to The Telegraph, Villa are also plotting a move for the defender this summer. 

Tierney joined Arsenal in 2019 in a deal worth £25 million and has made over 100 senior appearances. 

However, Zinchenko’s arrival in London has pushed him down the pecking order, with the Ukrainian proving to be an excellent signing.

The Scot will want regular minutes, which is why he is likely to leave the Gunners. 

Villa would be an attractive destination for him as they have seen a massive transformation under Unai Emery. 

They are now in contention to qualify for Europe next term, with the Midlands outfit just a point behind sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion. 

The club have been very impressed with the Spanish boss and are keen to back him in the summer transfer window. 

They are also considering bids for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.