Arsenal desperately try to wrap up £25m Kieran Tierney transfer as Napoli enter race for 22-year-old Celtic ace
ARSENAL are facing a photo finish to nab Celtic defender Kieran Tierney before Serie A side Napoli get there first.
With their opening bid of £15million rejected, the Gunners were reported to be a long way off the Glasgow club's asking price.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon went so far as describing the figure in stark terms, saying: "It's going to have to take a lot more than what they’ve offered the first time around."
Specifically, name a bid of £25m as enough to tempt a sale.
That amount can include bonuses but still outstretches the £19m Arsenal are expected to return with in the coming days.
Time may not be on the Gunners' side, however.
Napoli are strongly linked with Tierney and have reportedly scouted the Scot several times.
With Champions League football in the bag for next season, the Serie A side are want to further strengthen their squad after signing Kostas Manolas from Roma.
In addition, left-back Mario Rui has been rumoured to be on AC Milan and Torino's radar, the Portuguese's exit opening a space in the squad for Tierney.
Last week, Lennon accepted the situation is tough for the 22-year-old.
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He said: “I’ve had a chat with him as it can be a difficult decision and bit unsettling.
"I’ve been there myself so it’s important that we support him regardless of the outcome.”
While Celtic have begun pre-season training, the defender is not yet fit to play while recovering from a double hernia operation in May.