According to reports both from David Ornstein and in other outlets, Arsenal are making Leicester star Youri Tielemans a top priority for this coming transfer window. Additional reports in the Sun report that the Gunners are closing in on his signing for a fee of around £40m. The Belgian midfielder, whose contract expires next summer, has made it clear he wants to leave Leicester this summer for a Champions League club. Tielemans has also rejected contract offers from Leicester in the past.
Whether Arsenal qualify for the Champions League or not could be crucial in regards to the pursuit of Tielemans. The report claims Real Madrid are monitoring the situation and could make a move for him if Arsenal fail to reach the top 4 spot.
However, it’s claimed that both The Gunners and the player’s representatives are optimistic that Tielemans will become an Arsenal player. Leicester are aware of the importance of selling the Belgian this summer, instead of losing him at the end of next season on a free transfer. In other words, they are ready to cash in on him at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta is eager to strengthen the club’s midfield and Tielemans has become one of the Spaniard’s key targets in that position. Another midfielder who has been linked is Ruben Neves, but Wolves are said to demand at least £70m for their star man. A fee that could be an obstacle for Arsenal and other clubs interested.
If Youri Tielemans joins Arsenal this summer, how does he fit in to this squad and what sort of impact can he make?
Tielemans would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal. There are plenty of reasons for that. First of all, he has Premier League experience. That’s really important in my opinion, especially if you are going to sign a new central midfielder who is supposed to start week in week out. You need a player in that position who knows the league well and also knows what to expect, in terms of quality, tempo and physicality. I think Tielemans fits the bill. Well, I think Ruben Neves would be a brilliant signing too but is it worth spending way more money on him? I’m not too sure about that.
Tielemans is 25 years of age, which is in line with the club’s policy. That is also a reason why I think signing the Belgian would be perfect. He has got several great years ahead of him, even if he should be in his best form now or pretty soon. With his technical ability and his great passing accuracy, I think Tielemans would fit in well at Arsenal. The style of play we offer will certainly suit him and if he arrives, he could become an important figure next to Thomas Partey in midfield next campaign.
Apart from Tielemans and his passing quality, he has a great ability to score goals. That is something we lack at our midfield currently. Scoring goals. Tielemans often likes to try and shoot outside the box. At times he has succeeded. I remember his goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final last year. An incredible hit several meters outside the box.
If we secure the signature of Youri Tielemans, I’m sure we will see an instant impact. And that is thanks to his PL experience. If we sign a midfielder from another league, I think we will have to be more patient and wait for the player to really succeed. A great example of that is the signing of Sambi Lokonga. Sambi is a great, young player who will only get better and better. But we all can see he needs time. Time to adapt to the league, the intensity and the environment. Therefore signing someone already adapted to the league, like Tielemans, would be smarter in my opinion.
We have to see what happens regarding this Tielemans story. It is certainly one to keep an eye on. Arsenal journalist Charles Watts reported in January that there has been talks between the player’s camp and Arsenal at London Colney in the past. If we get the top 4 spot, I think we will have a great chance of landing Tielemans this summer. If we fail and end up as 5th, other top clubs will have the advantage.
Let’s see.
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