Arsenal are tracking Hibernian left-back Josh Doig as a backup to Kieran Tierney who wouldn’t use up a non-homegrown spot in the squad.

Football.London report that Arsenal are tracking Hibernian left-back Josh Doig ahead of the summer transfer window. Along with Ryan Bertrand, they’re primarily looking for a backup to Kieran Tierney who wouldn’t fill one of their non-homegrown spots.

To be very clear, Doig is not homegrown and he never will be. Scottish football does not count towards homegrown status in the Premier League, which is why Tierney himself is not homegrown. See confirmation on the Premier League website.

You have to spend three seasons playing your football in England or Wales before the end of the season in which you turn 21 to earn homegrown status. Doig will be 19 in a couple of days, so it’s already too late for that.

But since Doig is still well under 21, Arsenal could list him as an u21 for the next three seasons. After that, he’d have to be listed as a non-homegrown senior player, but that gives plenty of time to rebalance the squad first.

Sky Sports also reported earlier this year that Arsenal were among three clubs watching the 18-year-old. He has a deal lasting until 2023.

Arsenal have already established a relationship with Hibs, having sold them Matt Macey in January. He’s made seven appearances with them so far, and will likely start the Scottish Cup final next Saturday after playing every previous round.

Perhaps that will help negotiations if Arsenal decide to step up their interest in Doig this summer.