HOW ARSENAL ABANDONED CELTIC DEFENDER, TIERNEY TO PURSUE REAL'S CEBALLOS

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Joseph Omoniyi

Arsenal have reportedly abandoned their pursuit of Celtic defender, Kieran Tierney for 21-year-old Real Madrid and Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos whose signing is almost a done deal.

Unai Emery sides had made £25m-rated Tierney one of their top targets this summer and the 22-year-old Scotland international was reportedly keen to move to north London.

However, Daily Record reports the Premier League side have decided to give up the chase after seeing a third bid rejected by the Scottish champions.

Celtic had demanded most of the £25m up front, but Arsenal’s latest offer came in the form of staggered payments and add-ons, which the Bhoys turned down.

“It’s as you were really,” manager Neil Lennon said.

“I’ve had no information other than there were two bids that came in from Arsenal that were rejected.

“There has been no further inroads into that really.

“We’re in a good position. We have got no intentions of selling, he’s on a long-term contract and we want him to progress with us.

“Our valuation of Kieran wasn’t met and it’s as simple as that.

“You will see other transfers not going through because valuations haven’t been met. It’s not a case of Arsenal being disrespectful.

“They put a bid in that they valued the player at. They came back again and obviously see Kieran as a very good player as we do.

“But on a long-term contract, we’re in a very strong position when it comes to Kieran.”

The Gunners, who only have around £40m to spend this summer, have now moved on to other targets and are close to a deal for Ceballos.