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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Arsenal have pulled out of the running to sign Celtic's Kieran Tierney after their third bid was rejected, according to The Daily Record.

What's the story?

The 22-year-old has been a target for the Premier League side all summer but it looks like the saga has come to an end. The bid was believed to have totalled £25m but unrealistic add-ons put off Neil Lennon's club, who wanted more of the fee up front, per the report by the reputable Alison McConnell.

The left-back is interested in going to Unai Emery's men but doesn't want to push for a move away from the club he's supported his entire life. This, coupled with ambitious add-ons offered by the Gunners, has lead the North London side to turn their attention elsewhere.

The bonuses and top-ups included in the third bid were related to Arsenal's qualification into the Champions League, something the Hoops felt was unrealistic.

 

What next?

With Lennon bringing in Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo in a £3m deal from Rapid Vienna this summer, Tierney staying at Parkhead throws up a bit of a conundrum.

£3m is far from an insignificant amount of money for Celtic and it's been fair to assume anyone signing for the club at the fee would expect to play a lot. Yet with the fan favourite not going to Arsenal, Lennon might have to figure out a way to get them both in the side.

It's not a problem the Bhoys boss will have to deal with immediately given the Scot's injury issues, but it won't be long before he has a decision on his hands.

Thankfully for everyone involved, both are flexible and versatile; we've seen Tierney play at centre back and on the right for Scotland, and Bolingoli-Mbombo has the hallmarks of a winger.

Of course, having too many good players to choose from isn't exactly the worst problem in the world anyway, but after Lennon's recent comments on Bolingoli-Mbombo being a tad rash, the new arrival may well be used further forward if Tierney does indeed stay put.