ARSENAL could turn their attention to AC Milan left-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

The Gunners identified Kieran Tierney as their top defensive target but have had a £15million bid thrown out.

2 Kieran Tierney is wanted by Arsenal and Napoli Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

Celtic are demanding at least £25m but the Premier League giants have just £40m to spend this summer.

Boss Unai Emery is also chasing Crystal Palace star Wilfred Zaha and it's unlikely the north London club will be able to afford both.

And with Napoli also in the hunt for Scotland international Tierney, Arsenal have lined up Swiss full-back Rodriguez as an alternative.

The Daily Express claims the Gunners have not totally given up on KT, but see Rodriguez as a more affordable option.

2 Ricardo Rodriguez is being considered as a fall-back option Credit: EPA

Ex-Wolfsburg ace Rodriguez has been a regular starter during his two years at the San Siro but new boss Marco Giampaolo is open to selling the player.

Last week Hoops hero Tierney's agent Allan Preston insisted the defender is in no hurry to leave Parkhead - but admitted a deal could get done.

He said: “It is all down to Celtic - if they get a price that they believe is the correct value for Kieran Tierney he could possibly be on his way.

“No one has hit that price yet.

“I know Kieran really well, I had some food with him the other day.

“He is such an unassuming young man. He is wealthy at the moment but he doesn’t possess a watch because he isn’t into material things like this.

“He still hangs about with his pals from when he was a youngster, he sponsors his local pub team where his pals play and he’s not into his designer gear or anything like that.

“As the guys say, he loves Celtic. He absolutely loves Celtic.

“Will there be a time for Kieran Tierney to go? I think that there will be.

“If it’s just now it will be up to the clubs that are involved - Arsenal, Napoli or whoever - to then put the money on the table and make Celtic think about this.

“If there is a time for Kieran to go it will be up to Celtic, Peter Lawwell and the board."

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