Arsenal Transfers: Gunners make Youri Tielemans decision

Arsenal are reluctant to sign Youri Tielemans from Leicester City this summer and are willing to wait until 2023 to bring the Belgian midfielder to the Emirates on a free transfer.

Tielemans’ contract at the King Power expires at the end of the 2022/23 season and Leicester are willing to part ways with the former Anderlecht starlet on their terms this summer.

Arsenal are among the several teams interested in the 25-year-old, but they opted to prioritise other positions in the transfer market. The Gunners have made five signings this summer, but many believed the club were still in the market for another midfielder and winger once a couple of key departures were completed.

Tielemans is said to be keen on a move to north London despite their lack of Champions League football, but Arsenal aren’t willing to match Leicester’s valuation of the midfielder this summer.

Arsenal make Youri Tielemans transfer decision

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According to football.london, the Gunners are happy to wait until 2023 to sign Tielemans on a free transfer. The Foxes will reportedly sell the Belgian for £32m this summer, but that’s an asking price the club view as too steep for a player with just a year left on their deal.

Arsenal are believed to have agreed personal terms with the player and are confident of securing the Belgian international next summer.

However, should strong interest in Tielemans manifest elsewhere before the closure of the current summer window, Edu and co may be forced into action. While Manchester United’s pursuit of Adrien Rabiot has appeared to have ruled them out of the race, Newcastle could make a play for the Leicester man.

Thus, Arsenal could yet sign Tielemans this summer if competition from elsewhere threatens the Gunners’ deal. However, the club’s laissez-faire stance towards the midfielder would suggest that he’s not a priority.

Still, Mikel Arteta is hopeful of further bolstering his squad before the transfer deadline but a new winger in the mould of Moussa Diaby, Pedro Neto or Yeremy Pino will likely be targeted first.

Arsenal supporters will have the chance to see Tielemans up close and personal this weekend as Leicester visit the Emirates for the Gunners’ first home game of the 2022/23 campaign.