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Arsenal could make a move for Tielemans next summer

By Ritayan Chatterjee on February 9, 2023

Arsenal could reportedly intensify their efforts to sign Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans for free at the end of this season, as per the CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs.

Tielemans has entered the final six months of his current contract and he has rejected an opportunity to sign an extension with the Foxes. So, he is set to leave the club as a free agent following the conclusion of this season.

The Gunners hold a long-term interest in the Belgian international. It was thought that the 25-year-old was Mikel Arteta’s primary target to bolster their engine room at the start of this season. But despite being linked with a move for Tielemans throughout the last summer, the North Londoners never formalise their interest in signing him.

Writing on Caught Offside, Jacobs has claimed that Arsenal are still interested in luring Tielemans to the Emirates Stadium and they could look to sign him for free at the end of this season.

Tielemans to Arsenal

The journalist further states that the Premier League leaders are set to face a stern challenge in securing the highly talented midfielder’s signature as Newcastle United and Manchester United are also looking to take advantage of his current situation.

Jacobs wrote:

“Arsenal still haven’t ruled out signing him on a free transfer. They were reluctant to pay a transfer fee over the past two windows, but now the Belgian midfielder is a bargain. Newcastle also really like Tielemans and Manchester United are one to watch as well.”

The 25-year-old is technically sound, can play threading passes between the lines, has an eye for long-range passing and also can chip in with some important goals.

The Belgian would be a useful addition and would help Arteta to rotate his squad and keep his options fresh which will help him to compete in all four competitions next season.

Signing a talent like Tielemans – valued at around £35m by Transfermarkt – for free would be a great business so it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal will make a concrete approach to sign him next summer.

Meanwhile, it was previously reported that the north London club are prioritising moves for both Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice to strengthen their engine room next summer. But, the Ecuadorian and the Englishman will cost big money so Tielemans could be the backup target that Arsenal are lining up if they miss out on signing Rice or Caicedo.