Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney will rejoin the club this summer after agreeing a pre-contract.
The 27-year-old is in the last six months of his Gunners contract and is set to return to Glasgow on a free transfer at the end of the season – but Celtic are trying to bring him in before next week’s transfer window shuts.
The Scotland international had been told that he can leave the north London club by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Tierney missed the first three months of the season with a serious hamstring injury picked up while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024 and has made just five appearances for the Gunners since his return to fitness.
Rodgers, speaking ahead of Celtic’s Champions League tie against Aston Villa, also confirmed that on-loan left-back Alex Valle has returned to Barcelona. Sky in Italy are reporting he is set to join Serie A side Como.
Asked if Valle’s departure could lead to Tierney re-signing this month, Rodgers said: “Ideally it would [happen in January] but, at this moment, he’s still an Arsenal player.
“I think everyone is agreed that it will definitely take place in the summer. If we can do it beforehand, then great.”
On Valle, Rodgers added: “Alex won’t play again, sadly. He’s in Barcelona at the moment and he will probably then move on to another team.
“He’s another young player that’s contributed really well for us, played nearly 20 appearances, played in some very important games, made his Champions League debut and, especially at Atalanta, he was fantastic.
“We’re disappointed he’s left, but we have to move on.”
Rodgers on Kyogo exit: ‘He’s been an iconic player’
Brendan Rodgers (right) has praised Kyogo Furuhashi’s impact at Celtic after he left the club
Valle’s exit comes after Kyogo Furuhashi joined Renneswith Rodgers calling him an “iconic player for the club”.
“He’s been a real iconic player for the club, he’s done brilliantly during his time,” he said.
“It’s about getting a replacement, he did a great job, he wanted to leave.
“We have known for a number of months. Clearly we wouldn’t have wanted to sell him but he made it clear he wanted to move and when that’s the case, we have to find the best solution for the club.
“The club will work very hard to find a solution.”
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