Arsenal close in on double Premier League transfer swoop

Youri Tielemans Looks Destined for Arsenal Move

For as long as links to Jesus have been around, Youri Tielemans has also been in the spotlight for many months.

It emerged that the Belgian’s agent met with Edu and co at London Colney before Christmas to discuss a potential move south, and as the weeks have gone on the links have grown in strength.

Ornstein revealed that Arsenal aren’t just interest in Tielemans, but that he sits top of their list for potential recruits in the No. 8 position. Dialogue between parties has offered ’cause for optimism’, and with the midfielder also edging near to the final 12 months of his contract, Arsenal are seeing a potential bargain arise for a player with bags of Premier League experience.

As per The Evening Standard, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Tottenham have also been keeping tabs on the man who turned 25 years old last week, but his preference to play in the Champions League could have a large bearing on his future destination. Arsenal are huge admirers of his ability and a fee in the region of £30m is said to be how much it will take to secure his signature.

If other clubs show their hands then this price could rise, however.

Over in Belgium, major outlet Voetbalkrant back those sentiments, saying that everything is effectively agreed between the parties, with all that is left being Tielemans’ blessing. If Arsenal secure Champions League football, which they can with victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby, then the midfielder will give the go-ahead.

There are some concerns over Tielemans this season, though, in what has been his weakest to date in England. His G/A p/90 numbers are the strongest they’ve been in the Premier League, but Leicester’s overall form and the change to a No. 6 role on account of the plethora of injuries facing the Foxes have seen his performances dip.

It has looked like he’s downed tools somewhat and quite frankly grown fed up with Brendan Rodgers, while having no protection behind him has resulted in his physical deficiencies standing out. However, the previous summer’s recruitment proved that Arteta’s talent ID isn’t too shabby, and the mitigating factors behind Tielemans’ form clearly need factoring in. After all, he’s a wonderful player when on-song.

Two Premier League experienced players arriving in their primes for bargain fees on account of their contract situations? How inviting.

While nothing is sewn up in either camp, and securing a top four place will be key to both deals, they’re two moves that look increasingly likely to happen when the summer window opens. Hopefully, too, they can be completed fairly quickly into the window.