ARSENAL remain well short of Celtic's asking price of £25m for prized asset Kieran Tierney.

Despite reports which stated the London club had matched Celtic's valuation for the 22-year-old, we understand that isn't the case and there is still some way to go before any deal can be done.

Arsenal have made an improved offer on the original bid of £15m but even with their suggested fee rising as soon as the left-back plays a certain number of games, the Parkhead outfit are refusing to budge.

READ MORE: Neil Lennon wants to hand James Forrest new Celtic contract

Napoli are also in the running, among others, for the only Scot to be named double Young Player of the Year three seasons in a row.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is determined to land Tierney but if he is to leave during this transfer window for the English Premier League giants, for what would be a Scottish transfer record, the Spaniard's board now know for cetain that Celtic are comfortable about holding hold out for the £25m - and they believe that an offer will come in for that sum.

Tierney is currently recovering from a double hernia operation, a long-standing problem which meant he managed only nine first-team appearances after the turn of this year.

However, his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in British football means that these latest issues would not put off any would-be suitor.

Former Celtic player Stylian Petrov believes that this could be the right time for the player to jump ship.

READ MORE: Neil Lennon says Celtic won't enter an arms race with Rangers

Speaking in the Sunday Post, the Bulgarian said: "There comes a point in the careers of footballers that they weigh things up and make important decisions.

“Kieran Tierney may be in that position in this transfer window.

"If he goes, then the club will get excellent money for him. If he stays, then they are holding on to a quality footballer.

“But these are the kind of matters that you want to be resolved as soon as possible. It’s important to know where you stand and what needs to be done.”