Real Madrid step up transfer chase for Arsenal star Kieran Tierney after month-long scouting mission

REAL MADRID are stepping up their pursuit of Arsenal star Kieran Tierney, according to reports.

It is said the Spanish giants have conducted a month-long review of the Gunners left-back.

GettyKieran Tierney is a summer transfer target for Real Madrid after impressing scouts[/caption]

According to 90min.com, the club were initially keeping an eye on Bukayo Saka but their attention was drawn by the ex-Celtic defender.

The report states Real’s chief scout Juni Calafat has watched Tierney live and is impressed.

Now Los Blancos – who feel Tierney can play at left-back or centrally – will weigh up making a summer transfer offer.

The club currently have French ace Ferland Mendy and captain Marcelo as their left-back options.

However, the veteran Brazilian’s contract expires at the end of the season.

Tierney, 24, would not come on the cheap to the Bernabeu, either.

He signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates until 2026 last year.

The 30-cap Scotland international has become a fans’ favourite in North London since his 2019 arrival from Celtic Park.

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After overcoming injury troubles, he has now racked up 84 appearances for Arsenal.

And now Ally McCoist is backing his compatriot to be handed the captain’s armband by Mikel Arteta next season following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure.

McCoist told SunSport: “I saw it at Celtic and how the lad developed there. Even then, I knew he would be a leader. Terrific.

“The obvious comparison is to someone like Liverpool’s Andy Robertson.

“The two of them are similar in their love and respect for the game, their desire to get to the top.

“I bet those two get up every morning and pinch themselves because they cannot believe what they are doing for a living.

“Like Robertson, I see Tierney and undoubtedly there is a leader there.

“A lot of my mates at talkSPORT – Laura Woods, Darren Bent and Ray Parlour – all see Tierney as a future Arsenal captain.

“Captains show leadership, camaraderie, spirit and galvanise their team. Tierney is still young and inexperienced in that capacity.

“But he will grow into that. You look at him, he is mature, he speaks well, his off-the-field interviews are very good. For me, he is obvious captain material.”