Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is "increasingly likely" to make a summer switch to Newcastle United, according to a report.
Despite struggling with injuries upon his arrival in North London from Celtic in 2020, Tierney quickly became a fan favourite with his effervescent displays on the left.
Up until the start of the current campaign, Tierney was an undisputed starter in the rearguard, but the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko has forced the 25-year-old to accept a bit-part role this season.
The Scotland international has still featured on 31 occasions this campaign - contributing one goal and two assists - but he has only started five Premier League games and is being tipped to leave in search of regular game time.
Manchester City were believed to have had their eye on Tierney, but Newcastle have seemingly emerged as the leading contenders to sign the ex-Celtic man ahead of the 2023-24 season.
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According to The Sun, Eddie Howe's side are now growing confident about their chances of landing the Scottish defender, and a transfer is now seen as increasingly likely to happen.
With Tierney under contract at the Emirates for another three years, Newcastle could apparently be quoted £30m to sign the 25-year-old, who will not make a decision on his future until the end of the season.
Tierney is thought to be open to a move away from the Emirates in order to enjoy regular top-flight minutes, though, and Arsenal would not stand in his way if they can find a suitable replacement.
A left-back is not thought to be high on Arsenal's summer agenda given Zinchenko's arrival and strong form last summer, though, so Newcastle will be braced for a tough period of negotiations with the table-toppers.
Howe currently has Dan Burn and Matt Targett competing for starts at left-back, and the former has nailed down the role for most of the campaign, despite his previous exploits as a centre-half.
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Burn's performances have been the subject of recent criticism, though, and Howe has apparently identified Tierney as his first-choice target for a more attacking outlet on the left-hand side.
Juventus are also thought to be monitoring developments surrounding the future of Tierney, who has made 118 appearances for Arsenal since being signed by Unai Emery in 2019.
The Scotsman has five goals and 14 assists to show for his efforts in North London, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield under Mikel Arteta, but he has missed a further 48 matches through a multitude of injury problems.
Tierney played 85 minutes of last weekend's 2-2 draw with West Ham United in place of Zinchenko, who was nursing a groin problem, but he was demoted back to the bench against Southampton on Friday upon the Ukrainian's return.
Arsenal's third successive stalemate means that the Gunners sit four points clear of Man City - who have two games in hand - ahead of Wednesday's tantalising top-of-the-table showdown at the Etihad next Wednesday.
Ben Knapton
