---
title: "West Ham United: Noel Whelan makes Youri Tielemans transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tielemans-west-ham-europe-noel-whelan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-04-04T11:34:06Z"
modified: "2022-04-04T11:34:06Z"
---

# West Ham United: Noel Whelan makes Youri Tielemans transfer claim

**Ex-BBC pundit Noel Whelan has claimed that if West Ham United can secure European football for next season, they could seal a move for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.**

### The Lowdown: Leicester could sell Tielemans

According to a report by [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/03/31/brendan-rodgers-planning-leicester-citys-summer-rebuild/) on 31 March, the Foxes are willing to sanction a £25m exit for the 24-year-old, whose contract expires in the [summer of 2023](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/youri-tielemans/profil/spieler/249565).

The Irons have made it a [top priority](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-west-ham-top-priority-signing-revealed-amid-new-declan-rice-update/) to sign a central midfielder when the transfer window reopens. David Moyes hopes to add competition to his squad, which will allow for the rotation of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek; and as a result, the Hammers have been [linked](https://www.90min.com/posts/youri-tielemans-still-not-interested-extending-leicester-stay) with a move for the Belgium international.

[West Ham latest developments!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-developments-4/)

### The Latest: Whelan’s claim on Tielemans

Whelan, who regularly used to feature as a [pundit for the BBC,](https://icdb.tv/stats/4247/Noel-Whelan) believes that West Ham could sign Tielemans if they are to maintain European football next season.

Speaking with [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/west-ham-tipped-to-submit-25m-youri-tielemans-offer-after-sources-transfer-reveal-pundit/), the ex-Leeds striker claimed: *“I think they could \[sign him\].*

*“He’s got everything, hasn’t he? Goals from outside the box, creativity, works hard, dictates the game, very competitive. And he’s at a good age – the best is yet to come.*

*“Leicester will be forced to let him go because players like Tielemans deserve to be playing in Europe.*

*“If West Ham could offer him that, then him joining really would not surprise me.*

*“With the likes of Benrahma around him, David Moyes could have some really good options next season.”*

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375613″\]

### The Verdict: Would be a very good signing

The Belgian ranks in the 95th percentile for shot-creating actions, the 93rd percentile for total shots and the 92nd percentile for progressive passes (via [FBRef)](https://fbref.com/en/players/56f7a928/Youri-Tielemans). Therefore, it is clear to see why Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers hailed him as [“one of Europe’s top midfielders”](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10108967/Leicester-boss-Brendan-Rodgers-calls-Youri-Tielemans-one-Europes-midfielders.html), which furthers his cause to be playing regular European football.

With a current Transfermarkt value of [£49.5m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/youri-tielemans/marktwertverlauf/spieler/249565), signing Tielemans for a mere £25m would prove to be a fantastic piece of business by GSB.

However, at this price, a myriad of other Premier League clubs will likely be queuing to secure the midfielder’s signature, so this could prove to be a tricky deal for West Ham to get over the line, especially if they miss out on a place in Europe for next season.

I***n other news: [Sky Sports pundit drools over ‘important’ West Ham star with 94% passing accuracy v Everton](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-andy-hinchcliffe-lauds-declan-rice/)***