Mikel Arteta has been encouraged to complete the transfer of Youri Tielemans from Leicester City after Arsenal sign Gabriel Jesus. The 25-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent times, though a move has never materialised.
Tielemans, who sees his contract at the King Power expire in 12 months, featured 32 times for the Foxes in the Premier League last season, directly contributing towards 12 goals. The Belgium international's impressive displays for Brendan Rodgers' side have courted the attention from many top-flight clubs, with the Gunners among those said to be interested in acquiring his signature this summer.
However, following the arrival of Fabio Vieira from Porto, the north Londoners have 'cooled' their interest in Tielemans, according to Sky Sports. The report claims that it's become increasingly likely that he'll now pen a one-year contract extension with Leicester.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta's dream line-up for Arsenal's opening Premier League game of 2022/23 season
Arsenal have long been admirers of Tielemans but, with the Gunners having already welcomed Vieira to London Colney in a £34m deal, interest has waned. Whether or not Edu navigates another move for the Belgian is yet to be seen, though it's believed that the north Londoners will only sign one central midfielder in this window, and their preference was the Portuguese technician.
Despite Arteta's proposed summer spending plans, Ray Parlour has insisted that the club need to continue recruiting in midfield and Tielemans, who is valued at around £60.5million by CIES, is the perfect candidate. The former Arsenal star told talkSPORT, via the Express: "I think (Lisandro) Martinez is one.
"I know they are in for him from Ajax. I am looking down the spine of the team and I think that’s where they might strengthen. As you mentioned, Tielemans is a really good ball-player. They have got [Thomas] Partey, who had his injury problems last season.
"He missed quite a lot of games. You have got [Albert Sambi] Lokonga, who is going to get better and he’s still young. But I think that’s the area. [Granit] Xhaka is getting that little bit older. I think that’s the area they really need to look at.
"Get balls through the line and Tielemans would be ideal. Let’s hope, with my Arsenal hat on, they can somehow get him over the line, and in the ideal world, get everyone signed up by the (pre-season) tour."
READ NEXT:
Arsenal 'make third bid' for Lisandro Martinez amid major Raphinha transfer twist
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from the Emirates
Full Arsenal Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Arsenal make huge Kieran Tierney transfer decision amid Manchester City links
Arsenal star admits there is 'no chance' he stays with Mikel Arteta's side amid transfer links
