Real Sociedad agree Kieran Tierney loan deal with Arsenal

Real Sociedad have reached agreement with Arsenal to sign defender Kieran Tierney on loan, 90min understands.

The Basque-based club will feature in the Champions League after finishing fourth in La Liga last season - a fantastic reward for the continued progress made under manager Imanol Alguacil.

Tierney has found himself on the periphery of Arsenal's side after initially struggling to command a place because of regular injuries, but even when fully fit, the Scotland international played second fiddle to Oleksandr Zinchenko last season.

He has also seen Mikel Arteta add another option in versatile defender Jurrien Timber, though the Dutchman is set to miss an extended period of time because of an ACL tear.

Nevertheless, Tierney is keen to play regular football and sources have confirmed to 90min that Real Sociedad have agreed a straight loan deal with Arsenal that will see the Spaniards cover his wages in full throughout the duration of his stay.

There will be no buy option included in the deal, but that could be reviewed depending on Tierney's performances and whether or not both parties are able to come to a separate agreement.

90min understands that a number of clubs had shown an interest in taking Tierney, including former club Celtic. Brendan Rodgers is a huge fan of the 26-year-old and tried to sign him more than one occasion during his time as Leicester City boss.

But Celtic could not match Real Sociedad's offer of paying Tierney's wages in full, meaning a return to his first club won't happen and he will instead move to San Sebastian.

Arsenal handed Tierney just six Premier League starts last season, with the lack of minutes a clear worry when the player spoke about his situation earlier this summer: "You can't play every single game, every single season, every single year.

"I don't expect that and I still made a lot of appearances last year. I was ready every game and working 100 per cent. I think everyone in there would agree with that, that I never give less than that whether I'm playing or not."

Tierney cost Arsenal £25m when he joined from Celtic in 2019, and he has gone on to play 124 games in all competitions.

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