West Ham agreed transfer deal with Arsenal but player had other plans

West Ham United were close to signing Kieran Tierney from Arsenal in the January transfer window, but the Scottish defender reportedly had other plans. According to journalist Graeme Bailey, West Ham had agreed on a transfer fee with Arsenal, but Tierney himself favored a move back to his former club, Celtic.
Tierney’s lack of playing time at Arsenal has fueled speculation about his future, and West Ham saw an opportunity to bring in an experienced Premier League left-back. However, the Hammers’ pursuit of Tierney was ultimately unsuccessful, leaving them with the task of exploring other options.
West Ham manager David Moyes may now turn his attention to other targets in the left-back position. Emerson Palmieri has been Moyes’ preferred choice at left-back this season, but his inconsistency has raised concerns. With West Ham’s overall struggles this season, fans are likely hoping for reinforcements in several key positions, and left-back is certainly one of them.
While there are no concrete names circulating in transfer rumors at this moment, West Ham will undoubtedly be evaluating their options after missing out on Tierney. Their decision to pursue a new left-back may also depend on other factors, such as the future of Emerson Palmieri at the club. Tierney has completely fallen out of favour at Arsenal, and it’s not too surprising to see that the Scotland international seems to be coming towards the end of his time at the Emirates Stadium.
Still, it seems West Ham were unable to get a deal done for Tierney, despite reaching an agreement with Arsenal.
This transfer news highlights the complexities of the January transfer window. While clubs may agree on transfer fees, players ultimately have a say in their destination. West Ham will now have to adapt their strategy and look for alternative solutions to bolster their leaky defense. The January window is known for its surprises, so it will be interesting to see which left-back, if any, emerges as a target for the Hammers in the coming days.