Arsenal have reportedly emerged as a potential suitor for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, with a summer move being planned.
According to Goal, Arsenal have expressed interest in Youri Tielemans. The Leicester City midfielder has emerged as the latest target for Mikel Arteta as he looks to enhance his options in the middle of the park. The Premier League giants are keeping a close eye on Tielemans’s situation at Leicester and have already held talks with his representatives in recent weeks.
Part of Leicester City since early 2019, Tielemans’s current contract at the King Power Stadium expires at the end of the next season. The Foxes are likely to keep hold of him beyond the January transfer window, but it remains unsure whether the 24-year-old would be all too keen on signing a contract extension.
Tielemans’s uncertain future at the Premier League club has put Arsenal on alert. The Londoners are already scouring the market for midfield reinforcements in January as Thomas Partey is on international duty with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations. Arteta also has fears over the lack of depth in midfield, especially after Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s recent loan move to AS Roma.
In an attempt to add more fuel to the squad, Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their efforts to sign Georginio Wijanldum in January. The former Liverpool man has struggled at Paris Saint-Germain and is keen on a potential return to the Premier League.
However, Arteta is particularly keen on building a solid core for the long-term future of the Arsenal midfield setup, and that is where Tielemans comes into the fray. With over 100 appearances in the Premier League for Leicester City, the Belgian is often considered one of the most gifted playmakers in England.
He has been one of the best performers for Leicester over the past couple of years, with his contributions helping the club compete for the top four places for two seasons in a row. Perhaps most importantly, at the age of just 24, Tielemans offers a prospect for the future, making him an appealing target for Arsenal.
Tielemans might not be easy prey, though, with Leicester determined to keep hold of the player. They are expected to ask for a fortune for the Belgian next summer, especially with Manchester City and Real Madrid registering interest in the playmaker as well. So the onus will be on Arsenal to cough up a truly lucrative deal if they are to sign the ex-Monaco star next season.
