A sensational return to Celtic could be the only avenue open for Arsenal fringe star Kieran Tierney this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

This news comes after Football Insider revealed on Friday (18 August) that Newcastle United have ended their interest in the Scotland international despite extensive talks with his camp.

The Magpies are instead pushing ahead with the loan-to-buy capture of Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall.

And it is believed that collapse means Arsenal could keep Tierney, 26, at the club past the 1 September deadline with defender Jurrien Timber suffering a serious knee injury on his debut last week.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Celtic could tempt the Gunners to sell the defender this summer – but are likely to lack the financial clout to do so.

Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports earlier in the window (5 August) that Celtic will not spend “£15-20million” on any new arrivals this summer.

That is despite selling winger Jota to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad for a reported fee of £25million – of which the Hoops have received £17.5million.

Tierney left Celtic for Arsenal in 2019, with the Gunners paying a reported fee of £25million for his services.

However, he has fallen out of favour in recent months and was left out of the matchday squad for last week’s season-opener against Nottingham Forest.

The 38-time Scotland international notched one goal and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign but started in just 15 of those outings.

Celtic have already completed no fewer than seven permanent signings this summer.

The Hoops, like Arsenal, will play Champions League group-stage football this season.

Brendan Rodgers Celtic transfer update amid Daniel Podence and Ryan Fraser links to Parkhead

Brendan Rodgers has offered a Celtic transfer update amid links to Daniel Podence and Ryan Fraser.

The Hoops boss has already brought in six new faces to the club this summer in the shape of Marco Tilio, Odin Holm, Hyeokkyu Kwon, Hyunjun Yang, Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke. But he has confessed he needs to bring in more bodies in certain key areas of the park ahead of the summer window slamming shut.

The Scottish champions lost key player Jota over the summer for a big fee to the Saudi Pro League while Carl Starfelt – who was another ever-present in Ange Postecoglou’s Treble winning side – has left Scotland for a new challenge in Spain with Celta Vigo in La Liga. Two of the names mentioned for the wide positions are Wolves’ Podence and out of favour Newcastle man Fraser. Derek Riordan – speaking exclusively to Glasgow Live Sport – reckons the man from Molineux would be a brilliant addition to the pool.

Rodgers is in the market for ‘really talented players’ to help Celtic’s Champions League bid but concedes as things stand there is nothing to say on the linked duo and no immediate transfer incomings on the horizon. However, by the end of the window in less than two weeks time he expects some more business to have been completed.

“I still think we need to improve the squad in certain key positions. There’s still a way to go. It’s never straight forward, especially when you are looking to get really talented players.

“But I would hope by the end of the window we would have done some more business.”