Arsenal is preparing a bid of £20 million to sign Celtic defender Kieran Tierney, which will top the Scottish club’s transfer record of £19 million for Moussa Dembélé’s move to Lyon.
The Gunners previously had two failed offers of £15 million, followed by an improved £18 million, but they have surpassed those figures in a final attempt to bring the 22-year old to London.
Emery is also ready to give Tierney a full five-year contract, with £70k-plus per week, putting him on par with Arsenal regulars like Lucas Torreira and Shkodran Mustafi.
However, Celt’s boss Neil Lennon is not planning to lose their prized Scotsman, who is still having four years remaining on his existing contract at Celtic Park, and would want a minimum of £25 million for Tierney, sources say.
Arsenal are evaluating other options but any interest in Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha looks to be unlikely, given the player’s £80 million valuation.
Roy Hodgson is unwilling to allow Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is already linked United this summer, leave the club in the same transfer window.
Zaha previously made it clear he wants a move away from Selhurst Park but is keen to play in the Champions League, in which Arsenal won’t be participating in the next season.
