Arsenal are now in good position to sign€45m-rated midfielder at the Emirates in January as personal terms was agreed with player representatives five months ago – Journalist
After spending almost £120m during the summer transfer window, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will have another chance to revamp his squad at the end of the year.
Arsenal are “in a good position” to sign Youri Tielemans, but there is “still no guarantee” the Leicester City star will arrive at the Emirates Stadium in January, according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.
What’s the latest on Tielemans?
Tielemans’ future is uncertain, as his £120,000-a-week contract with Leicester expires next summer.
According to Italian media outlet Calciomercato, Arsenal do not want to wait until the end of the season to secure the midfielder’s services and could therefore test Leicester’s resolve by tabling a bid in January.
The report suggests Arteta does not want to be embroiled in a transfer battle for the 54-year-old Belgian international next summer, while Italian giants Juventus are also interested.
It is understood Tielemans is not interested in staying at Leicester beyond the end of the campaign and will wait until after the World Cup before opening talks with suitors.
Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be considering a seat at the negotiating table in early 2023.
What did Ben Jacobs have to say about Tielemans?
Ben Jacobs believes Arsenal have plenty of options in midfield and therefore a January transfer for Tielemans is not a foregone conclusion.
However, the journalist believes the Gunners are in a strong negotiating position if they decide to test the waters with a bid, as the Leicester player will not need convincing to make the switch.
Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: “I think there is still no guarantee that Arsenal will pull the trigger on Youri Tielemans, especially in January, because they are in exactly the same position as they were a few months ago, where they have already filled their midfield well.
“They have a lot of depth and a lot of versatility. If you buy Tielemans in January, you will have to pay something and that something can be considered worthless in the market.
“Arsenal are in a good position with Tielemans, in many ways, because they don’t need to make a real run at Tielemans. The fact that they are flying in the league will only cement in Tielemans’ mind that this is a good move for him.”
