Newcastle United are still looking to sign a left-back, hoping to bring in Kieran Tierney or Marc Cucurella before the transfer deadline.

Arsenal's Scottish defender Kieran Tierney (L) fights for the ball with Monaco's Senegalese midfielder Krepin Diatta during the pre-season friendly football match for the Emirates Cup final between Arsenal and Monaco at The Emirates Stadium in north London on August 2, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Scottish defender Kieran Tierney (L) fights for the ball with Monaco’s Senegalese midfielder Krepin Diatta during the pre-season friendly football match for the Emirates Cup final between Arsenal and Monaco at The Emirates Stadium in north London on August 2, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

The Telegraph report that Newcastle United want to bring in a left-back on an initial loan deal this summer, with Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella both on their radar.

Newcastle only want to sign one of the two, with both players reportedly keen to make the move. The Magpies are now looking to progress negotiations.

Arsenal are reportedly keen to find a move for Tierney, but they would prefer a sale over a loan.

A possible compromise would be a loan with an obligation to buy, effectively deferring the fee for another year. For the time being, Arsenal will keep looking for an immediate buyer.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Leandro Trossard #19 of Arsenal celebrates his goal with Kieran Tierney #3 for a 4-2 lead over FC Barcelona in a 5-3 Arsenal win during a pre-season friendly between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Leandro Trossard #19 of Arsenal celebrates his goal with Kieran Tierney #3 for a 4-2 lead over FC Barcelona in a 5-3 Arsenal win during a pre-season friendly between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

That opens up the possibility that Newcastle might reach a deal with Chelsea for Cucurella in the meantime, but that move isn’t straightforward either.

Like Arsenal, Chelsea would prefer to sell their left-back, and Newcastle are planning to offer a loan with a small upfront fee and either an option or obligation to buy.

So unless either Arsenal or Chelsea buckle and give Newcastle what they want, it looks like a potential deal could drag on until the end of the window.

Kieran Tierney Arsenal exit - Arsenal's Scottish defender Kieran Tierney acknowledges supporters at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 28, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Scottish defender Kieran Tierney acknowledges supporters at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 28, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal took on Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and one of the main talking points ahead of the game was the absence of Tierney from the squad announcement.

Various reporters confirmed that Tierney hadn’t suffered an injury, Mikel Arteta had simply taken the decision to leave him out of the squad.

As well as Newcastle United, Real Sociedad are also interested in taking Tierney on loan, and talks are continuing with the Spanish club. As it stands, Arsenal are still waiting for the permanent offers they really want.