Newcastle United could look to exploit Leicester City's 'turmoil' and secure a bargain January move for Youri Tielemans. That is the view of former Magpies midfielder Lee Clark, who believes the Belgian international would form a sensational partnership alongside Bruno Guimaraes.
Tielemans has entered the final year of his contract at the King Power Stadium, and was widely expected to move this summer. Arsenal were heavily linked throughout the window, with reports claiming a £25 million fee would have been enough to tempt the Foxes to cash in.
Jonjo Shelvey's injury led Newcastle to consider adding a midfielder to their ranks, with Tielemans reportedly featuring on the shortlist. However, Eddie Howe's side were frustrated in their deadline-day efforts to secure late reinforcements.
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Clark believes the rumours suggest Newcastle will have already held talks with Leicester over a prospective move. The 25-year-old has been linked with a host of elite clubs, and Clark is confident he represents the 'calibre' of transfer targets the Magpies will move for in future windows.
The former Newcastle midfielder told ChronicleLive: "He's a top-class player, he's showed that since he's been with Leicester. If he was and still is a target, and that's someone that they're looking to bring in...wow.
"We've talked about Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson being an outstanding combination, imagine having Tielemans and Bruno Guimaraes in the middle of the pitch? That's licking your lips time as a supporter.
"I've got no doubt they're type of players Newcastle are looking at, and when you're dealing in that sort of market, it's difficult to get them over the line. You're dealing with a lot of top clubs, it's tough. When you're in the market for the very best, all the other top clubs are usually wanting those players as well.
"I've no doubt given the links that there's probably been communication between the clubs to see if the player was available. They're the type of players that would take Newcastle to the next level. Since he arrived at Leicester, he's been an outstanding footballer."
Leicester have made a nightmare start to the new season after enduring a summer of unrest. Brendan Rodgers has cut a frustrated figure after being informed he would have to sell players to reinvest into his squad.
Wesley Fofana secured a £70m switch to Chelsea late in the window, and the Foxes sit bottom of the Premier League after Thursday night's defeat to Manchester United. Clark believes the current unrest at Leicester combined with Tielemans' contract status could present an opportunity for Newcastle in the mid-season window.
He added: "You've got a little bit of turmoil at Leicester at the minute with their financial position changing dramatically this summer. They've had to change their philosophy in terms of bringing players in, they're having to cut their cloth accordingly.
"They might want to cash-in to get a little bit of money back, and the player might see the club isn't as ambitious as it once was and he might want to move on. The dynamics can change completely in the space of a few months.
"We've got Isak in who can cover both wide areas and the striker position. I think that one is already done and dusted. If we can get Tielemans in, it would be mouth-watering what we could achieve. "
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