The saga of Youri Tielemans’ potential transfer to Arsenal has dragged on since the end of the last season all the way to the beginning of the new campaign. However, recent developments could finally settle the Belgian’s future.
The Gunners have an excellent chance to bring down the asking fee for the midfielder by proposing a potential swap deal. Leicester need a goalkeeper, and Arsenal are looking to offload Bernd Leno.
Tielemans would certainly enhance Mikel Arteta’s midfield, but a deal has failed to materialise so far seemingly to doubts about the player, and Arsenal’s inability to sell more of the club’s deadwood. However, a potential swap deal should erase these issues.
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According to Get French Football News Leicester are considering a transfer move for Leno as they look to replace long-standing first-team goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel who has an agreement in place with Ligue 1 side OGC Nice.
Leno looked to be on his way to Fulham, but the Gunners and the newly promoted Premier League side are reportedly far off in their valuation for the player. This could be a blessing in disguise for Edu because the Brazilian can now use Leno as a pawn to sign Tielemans.
Tielemans has been linked to the club since the end of the last campaign with CBS Sports reporting that the Gunners are currently the front runners to sign Tielemans. Arsenal reportedly already know that the Belgian will not sign a new deal and could be available for as little as £25m.
Despite being aware of the price tag, Edu had been reluctant to pay the price as according to TalkSport, there were doubts about the physicality of the Belgian. Tielemans had been caught out defensively numerous times during the previous campaign.
However, including Leno in a potential deal could shave off at least £8m as that is where the negotiations started between Arsenal and Fulham for the German, which means Tielemans could be signed for just £18m which would be a bargain for the midfielder and should erase doubts about his physicality.
Tielemans has played the most minutes compared to any other player at the age of 24 or younger so far in their career, and it is by a large distance. New Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus falls in second place, having played 10,000 minutes less than the midfielder.
The 24-year-old has been a regular in the Premier League for the last three seasons and has played a big part in Leicester's Champions League push over the last few campaigns. The midfielder's impressive performances have seen the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid show interest in him.
The Belgian would be an excellent addition to the Arsenal squad. Including Leno in a potential swap deal could finally see a conclusion to the transfer saga of Tielemans to Arsenal.
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