Arsenal are prepared to wait until Youri Tielemans’ current contract expires to secure the Belgian on a free transfer football.london understands. The Gunners have had an agreement with the player in place for some time and are confident of getting him for less than Leicester’s current asking price.
Arsenal feel as though the Foxes’ demands, which are in the region of £32million, are too high for a player with just one year remaining on his deal. Edu is in no rush to sign the player although external factors could change the situation rapidly.
Should other clubs suddenly firm up interest in Tielemans, Arsenal could accelerate plans to sign the Belgian international football.london understands. CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs previously reported interest from Manchester United although their move for Adrien Rabiot, as reported by The Athletic, potentially rules them out of the race.
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Jacobs told footballtransfers.com that United had been joined by West Ham United, Newcastle United and other clubs abroad in monitoring the Tielemans situation. Any move from another party would be expected to change the current stance of the Gunners.
football.london further understands that reports from earlier in the season that the relationship between the player and Leicester remain strong has not changed. Leicester would hope, if he stays for next season, to extend his deal for a further year to protect his value and therefore negate Arsenal’s hopes of signing him on a free; although Tielemans is still determined to move to a top club this summer.
It is a situation that is expected to become clearer in the late stages of the window. Arsenal meanwhile remain active in the market for other positions such as a wide player.
"We are really active as you can see with incomings and outgoings," Mikel Arteta said ahead of the Crystal Palace victory. "Everything is still open, it’s a long window, a lot has happened.
"It’s incredible how much business the clubs have done across the Premier League and it shows how competitive it is and this season is not going to stop that. Players are going to have the need to leave, some others to move and everything is open still."
Youri Tielemans will travel to north London this week to face his potential future club. Arsenal take on Leicester City at 15:00 on Saturday.
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