Arsenal set asking price for 'outstanding' defender listed as No.1 target by Premier League rivals

Arsenal have set an asking price for a defender who has rarely featured for them this season amid interest from one of their Premier League rivals.

The Gunners currently sit top of the table and are chasing their first title in nearly two decades.

Manager Mikel Arteta has been reluctant to rotate in the league this season and as a result, it has left several players frustrated with their lack of game time.

One of those is defender Kieran Tierney who has made just four starts during the campaign, most recently on Boxing Day.

Whilst there's not bad blood it's unlikely that the Scottish defender will accept another squad role next season and will look to move on instead.

The Gunners aren't going to stand in his way but have put a price tag of £25m on his head, according to The Northern Echo.

It comes following interest from Newcastle United who are set to make Tierney a key transfer target this summer.

Not only would moving to Tyneside give him more game time but it could potentially come with the chance to still play in Europe and challenge for trophies.

He's 'outstanding'

Selling him for £25m would see the Gunners recoup all of what they paid Celtic for him back in 2019.

He's made 113 appearances for the club since then and can be happy with his time at the Emirates having lifted the FA Cup along the way.

The 25-year-old was in contention back in 2021 to succeed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as club captain after he was stripped of the armband for misconduct.

At the time he received the backing of former Scotland international Don Hutchinson who described him as an 'outstanding candidate' when speaking to BBC Sport.

With the majority of his career ahead of him a move where he can kick on and play regularly is best for all parties.