It is going to cost Arsenal well over £40 million in fees and wages to buy the most valuable Celtic fan in Glasgow.

First things first — they are attempting to sign Kieran Tierney because he may develop into one of the best left backs in Europe — but even the most cursory of background checks would reveal that supporting Celtic is an enormous part of Tierney’s identity. Many of the constants and certainties of his life have been provided by the club he may be only days away from leaving.

Tierney has taken a loudhailer from the Green Brigade “ultras” and led chants in the past RUSSELL CHEYNE/REUTERS

Tierney’s emotional connection is genuine and non-transferable. Arsenal have failed in an opening £15 million bid but are likely to succeed with an improved offer to get Tierney on a five-year contract. It will