Arsenal overwhelming favourites as midfielder who’s available in summer ‘very much wanted’ Gunners move
It seems that Arsenal will be overwhelming favourites to sign Youri Tielemans in the summer, as they’ll ‘still be there’ and he ‘very much wanted’ to join previously.
A midfielder has topped Arsenal’s shortlist for some time. Indeed, Tielemans looked to be the main option that they were keen on not too long ago.
It then became Moises Caicedo, and the Gunners were consumed by their fascination for him in January.
They tabled two bids for the Brighton man, the most lucrative of which reportedly worth £70million. That was rejected by the South coast club, and Arsenal settled on the signing of Jorginho for £12million.
That’s not to say that another midfielder won’t walk through the door in the summer after bringing one in in January.
Indeed, reports recently have suggested Mikel Arteta’s side have had word from Declan Rice that he’ll join them.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Tielemans was still in their thoughts, too. Following their final bid for Caicedo being rejected, it was reported the Gunners still had the Belgian on their radar.
There’s a chance that could have changed when Jorginho headed through the entrance at the Emirates.
Arsenal ‘still there’ for Tielemans
It seems that’s not the case, though. Indeed, CBS journalist Ben Jacobs reports that he’ll still be on their shortlist come the summer window, as he will for a number of clubs.
“Come the summer, if Tielemans is available on a free transfer, there’ll be a variety of clubs looking at him.
“Arsenal will still be there for sure and we know that Tielemans very much wanted that move a year ago and was hopeful that something might come off throughout the summer, but Arsenal moved in a different direction.”
That the midfielder was so keen on moving to the Emirates means if they were to come calling, they’d be overwhelming favourites.
At the moment, it does look as if Tielemans will be available on a free transfer. While Leicester City have turned things round since the start of the season, they’re not in a great spot.
Indeed, they currently find themselves in 13th. What’s more, with reports circulating over the future of James Maddison, they could well be a side with a lot less quality soon.
Tielemans certainly won’t want to be a big fish in a small pond at the King Power. As such, the possibility of him leaving at the end of his deal – which is up in the summer – is a very real one.
Tielemans free transfer a no-brainer for Arsenal
Even if Arsenal do sign Rice, signing Tielemans too is an absolute no-brainer. Having a player like that come in free of charge is something a lot of clubs could only dream of.
Indeed, he’s a fantastic option, having been directly involved in 53 goals in 185 games as a Foxes player. Should Arsenal sign him, they’d have midfield options of Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Tielemans and possibly Rice.
Any combination of those stars would make for one of the best midfield groupings in the league and would mean their status as one of the very top clubs in England remains next season.
What’s more, Jorginho probably won’t play for many more seasons, and likely doesn’t expect to play every game anyway.
As such, adding talented midfielders around him would allow them to pick his brains, given he’s been very successful in his career, but shouldn’t take away from their opportunities too much.
The Gunners should be jumping at the chance to snare Tielemans if it’s there.
