Leicester midfiedler Youri Tielemans is reportedly 'fully sold' on a move to Arsenal this summer, despite Manchester United recently joining the chase for the Belgian.
Mikel Arteta is overseeing a busy summer of transfer business as he prepares for the return of European football. Three new faces have already arrived in the form of Matt Turner, Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos, with Gabriel Jesus set to be announced soon.
But they are not done yet and further bolstering a thin midfield looks likely to be an imminent priority. One player who has been a long-term target for the Gunners is Tielemans. The Belgian has been an impressive cog at the heart of Leicester's side but with just one year remaining on his contract, the Foxes will likely want to cash in,with a new deal looking unlikely.
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“He’s fully sold on a move to Arsenal, so if Manchester United were to bid for Tielemans, they will only get him if Arsenal decide that’s fine, go ahead and take the player," CBS reporter Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport. "It’s not really a head-to-head.
“I think that Manchester United’s potential interest in Tielemans, which is still to be stood up, could just catalyse Arsenal to make another bid or may have Arsenal say ‘I’m sorry, but we’re not interested. Go ahead and join Manchester United if you want’.
“But I don’t think that Manchester United can beat Arsenal to Tielemans. It’s not a case of decide between the two.”
Tielemans is currently valued at £60 million by CIES Observatory but with his deal only a year from expiring, Leicester will likely be willing to accept an offer below that figure. Previous reports have suggested that as little as £25 million could be enough to tempt them to sell.
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