Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leicester City - London Stadium, London, Britain - November 12, 2022 Leicester City's Youri Tielemans during the warm up before the match REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Transfer expert Steve Kay says that Arsenal are no longer favourites to sign Leicester City central midfielder Youri Tielemans this summer.
The Lowdown: ‘Frontrunners’
It was reported in February that Arsenal were the ‘frontrunners’ to sign Tielemans this summer, and are ‘well placed’ to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.
Both Newcastle United and FC Barcelona are also thought to be interested in his signature, and it is claimed that he is ‘unlikely’ to sign a new deal at Leicester, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
The Latest: No longer favourites
Taking to Twitter, Kay says that the Gunners are no longer favourites to sign Tielemans, with Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund also in the race for his signature:
“Arsenal are now not any longer favourites to sign the Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans due to major interest from Dortmund and Manchester United.
“Tielemans wants game time which is more likely at United & Dortmund because of the likely sale of Jude Bellingham.”
The Verdict: Get it done?
Mikel Arteta‘s team could not do much wrong by signing Tielemans on a free transfer in the next window.
Hailed as an ‘outrageous talent‘ by football scout Jacek Kulig, he has been one of the standout midfielders not just in the Premier League, but in Europe over the last year.
Tielemans ranks in the top 20% for a number of key metrics, including xAG, shot-creating actions, progressive passes, tackles and blocks made per game, and boasts plenty of experience in the Premier League at the age of just 25.
He is also well-established at international level, having won no fewer than 58 senior caps for the Belgium national team, also featured at the most recent FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
With the future of Albert Sambi Lokonga unclear in North London after he was loaned out to Crystal Palace in the January transfer window, and the fact that Mohamed Elneny has a long-term injury, Arsenal could do with bringing in a new midfielder through the doors this summer, and Tielemans would certainly offer healthy competition to the likes of Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Granit Xhaka.
However, the Gunners would do well to secure his signature, given the high level of competition that they will face, and on a free transfer, this deal could turn out to be a real bargain in the future, should they get it over the line.
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