Kieran Tierney tops secret Newcastle United transfer VIP list as Champions League ticket triggers blockbuster deal

Patient Newcastle are set to be rewarded in their pursuit of Kieran Tierney after securing a return to the Champions League following a 20-year absence.

It's understood Eddie Howe is utterly convinced the Arsenal star is the perfect signing to usher in the next stage of his rejuvenation project in the north east. Tierney and Leicester City playmaker James Maddison are Newcastle's top two signing targets as chief Dan Ashworth gets set for negotiations with the players his club believe can continue the Toon's upwards trajectory under Howe's leadership.

And now the Independent report Newcastle feel emboldened to pursue Tierney now as he is the main man on their VIP signing wish list, which is now in play with the strains of Zadok the Priest guaranteed to return to St James’s Park for the first time in a generation. Newcastle had drawn up three transfer strategies – one for the UCL, another if Europa League or Europa Conference League was earned, plus a third if they missed out on Europe altogether in Howe's first full season at the helm.

But it's all systems go now for Tierney as Arsenal appear primed to cash in on the former Celtic hero who is set to command a fee in excess of £30m with three years remaining on his current deal at the Emirates. The Scotland international retains strong backing among the Gunners' core fanbase, however, his minutes have been chopped after inverted full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko assumed the starting berth amid a tactical revamp from Mikel Arteta.

But Tierney's worth remains significant to others and Newcastle are confident they are in the driving seat to secure the services of the 25-year-old on a long-term deal thus summer with Manchester City and Aston Villa also understood to be major