Footy Extras

Arsenal have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Leicester City playmaker Youri Tielemans.

The 25-year-old’s future is currently the subject of much rumours, with a number of teams, including Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd, believed to be interested in his services.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the North London giants have agreed on personal terms with the Belgium international, who is keen to make the move to North London this summer.

Jacobs reports that Mikel Arteta’s side have been working on a possible contract “for a year”, however, the club are yet to place an official offer for his signature, with Leicester planning for him to remain at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid are also believed to be keeping close tabs on the developments, while the Magpies could enter the race for his services.

Tielemans’s current contract at Leicester is set to expire next summer, and the Foxes are believed to be wary of losing him on a free transfer ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The Belgian playmaker was again a vital player for Brendan Rodgers’s side last campaign, playing 50 games in all competitions, contributing seven goals and five assists in the process.

“That is not out of the question,” Tielemans recently told reporters when questioned on a possible exit during this summer’s transfer window. “I feel very good at Leicester, I was welcomed with open arms from day one. I give everything for the club until the last day.

“But of course you have to listen to other opportunities, you have to look at your career, and sometimes you have to make choices. Maybe one will come my way.”

Tielemans joined Leicester from Ligue 1 outfits AS Monaco in January 2019, initially on loan, and he has been a vital player for the Foxes, founding back of the net 24 times and providing 24 assists in 157 games.

Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal board to launch a quick and aggressive £25 million move for Leicester City star Youri Tielemans.

The Belgian has 12 months to run on his contract with the Foxes and talks over a renewal stalled last year, with the player minded to quit the club.

He is their record signing following his £32 million move from Monaco four years ago and Brendan Rodgers is poised to keep the ex-Anderlecht skipper.

Manchester United and Liverpool have both shown interest in the 25-year-old in the past but those links have disappeared, with the Gunners now the frontrunners for his signature.

Youri was open to a move to the Emirates but he was hoping Mikel Arteta’s side finished in the top four, as the midfielder had hoped to join a UEFA Champions League side.

However, the Telegraph say Youri is still keen on signing for Arsenal and that the Spaniard is pushing his board to lodge a £25 million bid.

The Egypt international Mohamed Elneny is likely to sign a new 12-month extension following his strong showings in the final stretch of the campaign but Arteta remains interested in strengthening his midfield.

Arsenal’s hopes of landing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans hinge on whether they finish in the top four this term.

The 25-year-old is likely to leave the Foxes this summer, with the Belgian interested in playing at a higher level.

He will have just one year to run on his contract at the end of the term and the club will reluctantly listen to proposals for the star, who they purchased in a deal worth up to £40 million in 2019.

Mikel Arteta has identified him as a priority in the summer and the Spaniard feels Youri’s box-to-box ability could take his side’s midfield to the next level.

However, while the former Monaco ace is keen on a transfer to north London, Tielemans’ primary reason for leaving the King Power Stadium is to play in the UEFA Champions League and he’ll look elsewhere if Arsenal finish fifth, according to the Evening Standard.

He has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona but the player will wait until the end of the term before deciding on his next move.

The Gunners believe an offer of around £30 million would be enough to prise him away from the Midlands.