Arsenal on the brink of signing Leicester City's Tielemans
Recent reports have it that Arsenal are inching closer to sealing a deal for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans for £40 million.
As with a few other players in the upcoming summer transfer window, reports have disclosed that both Manchester United and Arsenal are both interested in this player. However, Arsenal seems to be a step ahead in the race.
Tielemans, one of Monaco's top performers in 2018, attracted the attention of Leicester that year after an elaborate scouting mission by the Foxes.
Leicester would go on to sign the Belgian midfielder later in 2018 and he would go on to be involved in just 13 Premier League games that season.
The next season, Tielemans proved his worth to the team and earned his place as a starter. He played 37 of 38 matches in the league in the 2019/2020 season, scoring three goals and providing four assists.
The 25-year-old midfielder would continue to be one of the Foxes' brightest players, becoming one of the first names on the starting sheet for the club in the subsequent seasons.
The club have held on to the Belgian for a while as his performances continued to attract interest from all over Europe. However, they cannot hold on any longer as the midfielder has all but expressed a desire to move on to another challenge.
Tielemans talks Arsenal rejection in 2017
The former RSC Anderlecht starlet was linked with a move to Arsenal in 2017. He rejected the Gunners' offer at the time, citing competition for places in the squad.
According to an interview culled from Daily Mirror in 2017, he said, “I knew not much was going to change with Arsenal’s squad. Their management wanted to keep the same group of players together to finish high in the Premier League.
“I had to be honest with myself and take a look at the midfielders Arsenal have got. They are top-class players. I knew that I would not get many first-team chances with them, so I didn’t give any more thought to join them.
“I never said no to any club. But I made it clear where I wanted to go.”
The conditions at the club are different now and Tielemans would walk straight into Arsenal's midfield. With most of Arsenal's midfielders like Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendozi, and Granit Xhaka not assured of their future in Arsenal, the competition is less stiff for Tielemans.
The North London side, however, will have to face competition from Real Madrid and Manchester United for Tielemans' signature.
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