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Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Catterson-Reid

Brendan Rodgers delivers tense reply after question on Arsenal target Youri Tielemans' future

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers got defensive when asked about his previous comments regarding Arsenal transfer target Youri Tielemans.

The north Londoners are short of midfield options at this moment in time and Egyptian international Mohamed Elneny is likely to leave the club this summer when his current contract expires.

According to Goal, Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta is interested in adding to their options in the middle of the park and Belgian star Tielemans is reportedly a target.

And Foxes' manager Rodgers has previously admitted that the former Anderlecht playmaker may decide not to sign a new deal at the King Power Stadium, with his current contract expiring in less than 17 months.

"He is at an age and at a stage in his contract where he has to ensure he looks at every option", the former Liverpool head coach said last month.

"I would love it to be here at Leicester, that is natural, but I understand it's a very short career.

"For players it's about ambition, the challenge and sometimes it's about a different environment. We have seen it before many times."

Now, Rodgers has gotten quite touchy when Sky Sports journalist Gail Davi asked about the aforementioned comments on the 24-year-old's future.

Speaking to the Northern Irishman, Davis said: "Do you stand by those quotes that you think Tielemans may well attract some big offers in the summer?"

Rodgers then replied: "Well I don't know what quotes you're talking about."

David then defended her question, saying: "They were from you, I promise you. They were from you."

The experienced coach continued to show his frustrations, responding with: "Go on then, what was it sorry? What was it?"

Eventually, Rodgers addressed his previous comments on the talented midfielder, admitting that he is unsure whether or not his star player will decide to leave the club in the coming months.

Rodgers said: "Yeah absolutely, but that can be the same for a number of players in the squad.

"With his contract running down then I'm pretty sure there will be teams looking at him but I'm also a realist as well.

"We are real as a football club. You'll get people asking if we can hang on to these players for the next six or seven years but the reality is that if a player does really well at Leicester, he may want to leave and move on to another club.

"For us, it's just about being ready for that."

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