Topics: Arsenal, Kieran Tierney, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Football
Arsenal may have already found their replacement for Kieran Tierney in the shape of Lino Sousa.
The 18-year-old left back has impressed in Arsenal's academy this season, with many believing he will join up with the senior squad soon.
Goal claim that Sousa has been regularly selected to train with the first-team this season, suggesting Mikel Arteta is planning to integrate the player into his side.
The Gunners signed Sousa from West Brom in January of last year, and have since seen a rapid growth in his development.
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The Athletic report that people involved with West Brom feel Sousa is ‘outstanding’ and ‘among the best in the country’ at his age level.
The Englishman is also said to be able to play in Arteta's favoured inverted full-back role, currently mastered by Oleksandr Zinchenko.
There is a growing uncertainty surrounding Tierney's future at the Emirates, with the Scotsman struggling for regular game under Arteta.
The defender has had to play second fiddle to Zinchenko this season, and his lack of minutes has sparked rumours over a move away.
Newcastle have emerged as potential suitors, with Eddie Howe said to be in the market for a left back.
Meanwhile, The Evening Standard report that Tierney is 'tempted' by a move to St James' Park in search of first team football.
It is thought that the Gunners would only consider a sale if they made their money back on the 25-year-old - having paid £25million to sign him from Celtic back in 2019.
Elsewhere, Nuno Tavares is also expected to leave the club, less than two years since he arrived in north London.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a successful loan spell in France where he has scored five goals for Marseille.
However, Journalist Ben Jacobs’ has claimed that Tavares is unlikely to play for Arsenal again, with the league-leaders expected to cash in on the Portugal international.
Speaking to TEAMtalk, Jacobs explained: “With Tavares, I think it’s very unlikely that he’ll play for Arsenal again. That’s just a positional kind of thing.
“Zinchenko, Tierney, at the moment, is still there, Tomiyasu there, as well."
“And the thing with Tavares is that Arsenal can probably, if not definitely get a profit off him because he’s only 23 years of age and the fee that Arsenal paid in 2021 for Tavares was only £8m.
“That means that if they do choose to sell him, they’ll be able to cash in and make a tidy profit, which will reflect well on their books, on Financial Fair Play and provide an opportunity to clear some squad space in order to no doubt bolster in other positions.”
