Arsenal: Newcastle target says future ‘not up to me’ with Howe to ‘have another go’ at £50m full-back

Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney says he has not discussed his future with Mikel Arteta amidst reported interest from Newcastle United.

Tierney lost his place in the Gunners’ starting XI last season following the £32million signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Arteta used Zinchenko in an inverted left-back role, which suits Zinchenko down to the ground and is clearly how he wants his full-backs to play.

This is not how Tierney prefers to play, unfortunately for the Scottish international, who has barely put a foot wrong at the Emirates despite finding himself on the bench more often than not.

Eddie Howe is reportedly looking to sign a new left-back this summer and Tierney is someone whose name has frequently popped up.

Rumours have simmered down in recent weeks and the ex-Celtic youngster has been discussing his future during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Asked where his future lies, Tierney told reporters: “It’s not really up to me.

“I’ve not had any discussions with the manager and I’m just working hard every day and trying to do as well as I can.

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“I didn’t miss a single game because of injury last season. I was available for every match and always ready when called upon.

“I think everyone would agree that I never give less than 100 per cent, whether I’m playing or not. You can’t play every single game every year and I don’t expect that.

“But I still made a lot of appearances last season coming off the bench, whether that was to see games out or help to get a goal, and I did all I could to help.”

Tierney played the second half of Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday evening.

Howe is clearly in the market for a new full-back but it seems he is fully focused on signing Southampton youngster Tino Livramento, who is naturally a right-back but is capable of playing on the left.

The Saints reportedly value Livramento at £50m and have rejected a £30m bid from the Magpies.

The Daily Mail reported on Monday that Newcastle are prepared to ‘have another go at signing’ the 20-year-old.

Newcastle have just signed Harvey Barnes for around £39m and will probably need to offload Allan Saint-Maximin, who is set to join Al-Ahli, before making another bid for Livramento.

The report says Watford are keen on signing Jamal Lewis, which will add a few more million into the Geordies’ bank account as they look to stay within FFP guidelines.

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