Arsenal Transfers: Are Tottenham making a move for Gunners target Youri Tielemans?

North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have emerged as two early protagonists in the summer transfer window and the pair could go head-to-head in the race for Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans. 

The two sides’ business has somewhat intertwined thus far with both clubs said to be interested in Brazilian triumvirate Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison and Raphinha. In the end, the Gunners will end up with Jesus, Spurs with Richarlison, while neither will seemingly get their hands on Raphinha, who’s destined for either Catalonia or west London.

Ultimately, though, both sides will be happy with the business they’ve conducted up to this point with Jesus and Richarlison fine systematic fits for their respective new sides.

Are Tottenham going to challenge Arsenal for Youri Tielemans’ signature?

Our bitter rivals have been incredibly busy this summer and they could announce their sixth new arrival next week in Djed Spence. Defender Clement Lenglet looks poised to be their fifth addition following the signings of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison (who has all but signed).

However, Antonio Conte supposedly wants to add a creative midfielder to his ranks which means they could compete with Arsenal for Tielemans’ signature.

Spurs were in for free agent Christian Eriksen, but their interest in the Dane has cooled. Arsenal, meanwhile, were very much in for Tielemans at the start of the window but other targets have taken priority. Still, the Gunners are expected to go back in for the Belgian international.

Tielemans is the sort of midfielder both north London clubs require. At Arsenal, he could perform the left-sided #8 function in Mikel Arteta’s 4-3-3, while Conte could use him as his specialist passer in midfield – much like how Cesc Fabregas and Marcelo Brozovic were used by the Italian boss.

It’s a move that does make sense for those folk down the road considering their interest in reuniting with Eriksen, and some – admittedly not the most reputable and more ‘ITK’ – sources have linked Tielemans with a move to Spurs. George Bannister writes that Tottenham are now “actively exploring” a deal for the Leicester midfielder.

The 25-year-old has spoken of his desire to play in the Champions League which would likely hand Spurs the advantage over Arsenal if they were to make a serious push for the Belgian. Manchester United are also said to be keen on striking a deal.

For now, though, nothing is advanced between Leicester and any club for Tielemans and the bookies still very much favour a move to Arsenal if he was to leave the King Power this summer. The midfielder is believed to be open to a move to the Emirates, but the pull of Champions League football could swing him in another direction.

Missing out on Tielemans wouldn’t be disastrous for Arsenal, but failing to sign a midfield player of the Belgian’s ilk would be. Granit Xhaka, for his good work in deeper zones, struggles to have any influence in the final third and is not cut out to start regularly as the left-sided #8 in Arteta’s three-man midfield.