Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Naby Keita and Kieran Tierney

Arsenal are reportedly readying a summer move for RB Leipzig’s midfield star Naby Keita.

According to Sport Bild (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), despite the uncertainty over the future of manager Arsene Wenger, the Gunners are making plans for the end of the season. The 22-year-old Leipzig man is said to be on their agenda.

In the piece it’s suggested the Guinea international would cost around £26 million to bring to the Emirates Stadium. Bayern Munich are also said to be admirers of Keita and would reportedly provide competition for his signature.

This is why he’s been linked with some of the biggest names in European football:

These numbers from Squawka Football sum up not only how impressive Keita has been this season, but how rounded he is as a footballer:

The versatile midfield man has been one of the standout performers for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team, who sit in second spot in the Bundesliga.

Keita’s game is based around his tremendous energy levels. The youngster is excellent at shutting down opponents, anticipating danger and clattering into tackles. There’s a composure and guile to his game in possession, too, as evidenced by the four goals and seven assists secured so far this term.

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Football writer Jack Lusby hailed the qualities of the midfielder, suggesting he’d be a fine option for Arsenal’s rivals Liverpool:

Keita would be a smart acquisition for the Gunners, too, especially with concerns over the fitness of Santi Cazorla at the hub of the team.

Keita is the kind of player a manager could build a team around for years to come given just how varied his skill set is. Should the Gunners steal in ahead of Bayern and get this one over the line, it’d be a brilliant coup on their part.

Gunners Chase Kieran Tierney

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According to Tom Marshall-Bailey of football.london, Arsenal have been keeping an eye on Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney this season with a view to a potential summer move.

It’s suggested in the piece that Arsenal will likely miss out on the signing of Fulham’s 16-year-old left-back Ryan Sessegnon, with Liverpool said to be leading the chase for his signature. As such, Tierney, just 19, is said to have emerged as an alternative target.

"Arsenal have frequently scouted Tierney this season as they weigh up whether to make a bid for him to solve one of their biggest problem positions," added Marshall-Bailey. Here’s a look at what the Gunners scouts would have witnessed:

Tierney is definitely a talent. Despite his tender years he’s become a key part of Brendan Rodgers’ dominant Celtic outfit, bursting down the left-hand side with tremendous energy in his 16 league appearances. Tierney is tenacious in his defensive play and composed in his decision-making.

Tony Barrett of Joe.co.uk was impressed by the teenager, who would reportedly cost around £15 million, when he watched him recently:

Left-back is a position in the Gunners squad that could do with some improvements. Nacho Monreal’s form has faded this season, while Kieran Gibbs has failed to progress whenever he’s been handed a chance by Wenger.

Tierney might not be ready to start on a weekly basis for a club like Arsenal quite yet, although there’d be a clear path into the first team for the youngster if he was to make the move in the summer.