West Ham United have reportedly made a move to sign Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, as manager Julen Lopetegui looks to strengthen his squad following injuries to key players. However, the Scotland international has turned down West Ham’s interest, favouring a return to Celtic as his future at Arsenal remains uncertain.
West Ham’s Injury Woes and Transfer Plans
The Hammers are grappling with significant injury setbacks, including club captain Jarrod Bowen, who has suffered a broken foot and is expected to miss an extended period. Additionally, striker Michail Antonio is recovering from a serious car accident in December, leaving West Ham short of attacking options.
Speaking ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester City, Lopetegui confirmed the club is actively working to address their squad needs during the January transfer window:
“It is true that we have these two important losses [Bowen and Antonio]. The club knows our needs and are working on that.”
While reports suggest West Ham are eyeing Real Sociedad forward Brais Méndez, they are also keen on reinforcing their back line, with Tierney identified as a potential solution.
Tierney’s Situation at Arsenal
Tierney, who has struggled for regular game time under Mikel Arteta, is reportedly eager to leave Arsenal this month. Despite featuring in Arsenal’s last seven Premier League matchday squads and making a Carabao Cup appearance in December, the left-back’s long-term future lies away from the Emirates Stadium.
The Scotland international is widely believed to be in pre-contract talks with Celtic, where he began his career before joining Arsenal in 2019. Tierney’s contract with Arsenal expires at the end of this season, and he reportedly favours a return to the Scottish champions over a move to West Ham.
West Ham’s Interest Rejected
According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, West Ham approached Arsenal last week regarding Tierney’s availability. However, the 26-year-old has declined their interest, prioritising a return to Celtic. Tierney, who earns £120,000 per week, is expected to finalise his exit from Arsenal before the season ends.
What’s Next for West Ham?
With Tierney seemingly off the table, West Ham will need to explore alternative defensive reinforcements. Lopetegui’s side faces a challenging set of fixtures, including matches against Manchester City, Fulham, and Chelsea in the coming weeks, and the club will be eager to secure new signings to navigate this crucial period.
The January transfer window represents an opportunity for West Ham to address their squad deficiencies and build momentum for the second half of the season. Whether they can land their targets remains to be seen, but the Hammers are clearly intent on bolstering their ranks.