Arsenal boost as Celtic line up replacement for Kieran Tierney in Iranian full-back Milad Mohammadi

ARSENAL’S hopes of landing Kieran Tierney have risen after Celtic were again linked with Iran left-back Milad Mohammadi.

The Hoops rebuffed the Gunners’ improved bid of £17.5million for Scotland left-back Tierney, 22.

But Football Insider say Celtic are again monitoring Mohammadi, who has spent the last three seasons with Russian top-flight side Akhmat Grozy.

Anderlecht and Genk are also keen on the 25-year-old, according to reports in Belgium.

Arsenal are long-time admirers of Tierney but have been unwilling to match Celtic’s £25m valuation.

Gunners boss Unai Emery only has around £45m to bring in players this summer

And although Arsenal need to replace 33-year-old Nacho Monreal, Emery will resist spending £20m-plus on a full-back.

Everton and Napoli are also understood to have shown interest in Tierney.

But a bigger priority for Emery is a star name further forward.

That means he could ask the Arsenal board to bust his budget with a move for Crystal Palace main Wilfried Zaha.

The Eagles want at least £55m for the Ivory Coast attacker who has been in the best form of his career.

Zaha’s old Club Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs have also been linked with the 26-year-old.