This summer, Youri Tielemans of Leicester City has been heavily linked to a move to Arsenal.
In preparation for a potential transfer to the Emirates, Youri Tielemans of Leicester City is said to have agreed to individual terms with Arsenal.
After it emerged that the 25-year-old was on the club’s wishlist this summer, Tielemans has been linked to a move to the Gunners. The Belgian midfielder currently has a year left on his contract with the Foxes but recently declined the offer of a new deal at the King Power Stadium.
According to recent sources, the north Londoners ‘cooled’ their advantage in Tielemans as they focused on striking deals elsewhere. Arsenal recently reached a £45 million agreement for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, but sources suggest that the Gunners have since turned their attention back to Tielemans.
Jesus will replace Marquinhos as the fourth defender for Arsenal this summer, joining Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, and Marquinhos. Many believed the Gunners wouldn’t pursue a deal for Tielemans if they acquired Vieira from Porto this summer, but it appears they have now reached individual terms with the Leicester player and could sign both this summer, according to CBS.
The north Londoners continue to have a high priority for the Belgian international as Mikel Arteta looks to improve the depth and caliber of his midfield in preparation for the upcoming season. Last season, Tielemans, a central midfielder for Leicester, contributed five assists in addition to seven goals.
The 25-year-old might partner with Thomas Partey in midfield for the Gunners, or they could switch to a 4-3-3 formation, in which case Martin Odegaard would drop close to the pair, much like Arteta occasionally did with the Norwegian playmaker last season. Due to Tielemans’ contract situation and Leicester’s desire to avoid losing a valuable resource on a free transfer the next summer, Arsenal will actually want to negotiate a lower price for Tielemans this summer.
