Liverpool are reportedly not interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, who is a target for Arsenal and Manchester United.
According to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are uninterested in making a summer swoop for Leicester City and Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans. However, the 24-year-old is being pursued ardently by Arsenal and Manchester United.
Tielemans landed at Leicester City in January 2019, arriving on loan from AS Monaco. He made a fine impression in his six months at the club, prompting the Foxes to make his transfer permanent in the summer. Since then, the Belgian international has grown into an integral part of Brendan Rodgers’ setup.
Tielemans has made 146 appearances for Leicester City, contributing 24 goals and 22 assists. The 24-year-old has helped the Foxes win the FA Cup last season and the FA Community Shield earlier this term. However, the midfielder’s time at the King Power Stadium is heading towards closure in the summer.
Tielemans’ contract with Leicester expires in 2023 and the former RSC Anderlecht prodigy will not be signing an extension, forcing the club to cash in on him at the end of the season to avoid the risk of losing him for nothing next year. It has alerted several top clubs in England and Europe, with Arsenal and Manchester United among the clubs interested.
Arsenal are looking to add another quality midfielder to their ranks who can be the ideal partner for Thomas Partey. With Albert Sambi Lokonga still getting to grips with English football and Granit Xhaka’s future uncertain, Tielemans has emerged as a target for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
As for Manchester United, the Red Devils will need to replace Paul Pogba, who is set to move on at the end of the season. The Frenchman’s current contract with the club expires in two months. He does not intend to sign a new deal. It will leave a huge void in the middle of the park for Manchester United, with Tielemans emerging as one of the candidates to replace the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
Apart from Arsenal and Manchester United, Liverpool, too, have been linked with a move for Tielemans. The Reds are looking to refresh their options in the middle of the park as James Milner and Jordan Henderson are on the wrong side of their thirties. They also did not replace Georginio Wijnaldum last year, leaving room for a new midfield signing in the summer.
However, as per Ben Jacobs, there is no truth to Liverpool’s links with Tielemans. The Reds are uninterested in the Belgian international and have other priorities at the moment. The journalist also mentions that much like Liverpool, West Ham United, too, are not in the running for the Leicester City midfielder.
Given his contract situation, Jacobs adds that Tielemans could be available for a bargain price of £25 million this summer. With Arsenal and Manchester United in the hunt, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the battle for the Belgian.
