Arsenal have found a potential alternative to Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans in the transfer window, having been in "contact" with an agent over a switch. The Gunners' interest in Tielemans has cooled football.london understands, having been linked heavily with a switch in the summer.
The Belgian is nearing the end of his contract with the Foxes, prompting the possibility of an exit in January or as a free agent in the summer. Mikel Arteta was eyeing a midfield addition in the previous window, having been handed an injury to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny at the time.
A bid for Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz was made on transfer deadline day, but the Midlands outfit didn't budge on their stance of no sale late in the window. "We tried but at the end of the day, we have to bring the player that we feel is the right player for the team and as well for the club and we didn't manage to do that," Arteta said after failing to add a central midfielder.
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Fast forward a few months and the side now sit top of the Premier League, with the January transfer window offering them an ideal chance to strengthen. The priority appears to be the forward ranks, with Mykhaylo Mudryk and Joao Felix prime targets for making their way to north London.
While there may be less emphasis on the midfield and cooled interest in Tielemans, it doesn't mean there's no activity at all for adding there. That's because Corriere dello Sport reports that Arsenal have been in contact with the agent of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic over a transfer.
The Serbia international has previously been linked with the Gunners, but as his contract dwindles, an exit from Lazio appears more likely. The report adds that the Serie A side are open to letting the 27-year-old leave, however they would prefer a summer sale over January, when he will have just one-year remaining on his deal.
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