Napoli cleared a path for Kieran Tierney’s move to Arsenal by admitting they’re not interested in the Hoops star.
The Serie A side have been heavily linked with the Scotland full-back all summer but boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he has no plans to try and snatch the 22-year-old from under the nose of the Gunners.
It’s understood that Tierney’s edging closer to a £25million switch to the Emirates with boss Unai Emery admitting he’s desperate to recruit defensive cover despite being set to spend £72million on Lille winger Nicolas Pepe.
Tierney is currently recovering from a double hernia op but Arsenal regard him as a priority signing for their club as Napoli boss Ancelotti pulled the plug on any chance of his club jointing the race for the youngster’s signature as he’s overloaded in his position.
He said: "Am I aware of Kieran Tierney? I know him and he is a really good player. He is a really good young left back but he is a Celtic player. We are looking for a lot of players for this coming season but he is a Celtic player and we have two good left backs. But honestly I can say he is a really good player.”
Tierney has been in limbo for weeks as Celtic continue to reject offers which have been laced with payment structures and potential add-ons from Arsenal which they find unacceptable.
Two offers at the £25million mark have so far been turned down but weekend reports in England claimed the player was finally set to have a medical at the Emirates today before moving to join the Gunners.
Nothing has materialised to confirm the claim but Spaniard Emery has made it clear he remains keen to sign a full-back.
He said: “We are working the club and also thinking how we can improve.
“They have different players on the table with the possibility we can achieve their signature. And Pepe is a very good player and also we are thinking only players who really really improve this squad and also give us some different conditions for improvement.
“And the same, we are working for the last few weeks and before the season starts, the first match in Newcastle, to get the best team with the best players in our squad.”
Arsenal have had two bids for Tierney rejected by Celtic who rate the youngster at about £30million.
Emery added: “We are deciding how we can improve. At the beginning we were thinking only to do player but only if we can really improve in this position. One centre-back, one full-back and one winger.
“We are going to do that and are thinking the same. Really I want one team better than last year with players who can achieve to add to us this season. We have a very good team. Only players who can improve the squad.”
