Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans has long been the subject of interest from Arsenal, who may have at long last concocted a plan to sign the Belgian.
In one of the more curious transfer sagas of the summer, the Gunners are yet to actually submit any kind of formal offer for an incredibly talented midfielder who seems keen on the move. Tielemans, 25, has one year left to run on his contract at the King Power, ensuring the Foxes are cornered into a position where they either sell at a cut-price fee or lose him for nothing in 12 months' time, unless a new deal is agreed.
Tielemans is not the only Leicester player that could be on the move, with long-time number one Kasper Schmeichel linked with a shock summer switch to Ligue 1 side Nice.
This could directly impact Arsenal's efforts to sign Tielemans, given the Gunners have a goalkeeper of their own looking for the Emirates exit in former first-choice Bernd Leno. The German international originally lost his place to Aaron Ramsdale and the recent acquisition of Matt Turner suggests Leno is viewed as the third-choice shot-stopper in North London.
Leno is keen on a move to boost his chances of representing Die Mannschaft at the Qatar World Cup later this year, with newly-promoted Fulham previously looking like his most obvious destination. However, talks between the the Cottagers and Arsenal seem to have stalled.
The Gunners could now explore the idea of using Leno as a makeweight in their bid to pry Tielemans away from Leicester before the window closes later this summer. According to football.london, Leicester are interested in Leno as a potential replacement for Schmeichel.
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Given the German's Premier League experience after four years at the Emirates, it would take Leno little to no adjustment should he put pen to paper on a deal with Leicester. The 30-year-old has made more than 100 appearances between the sticks for Arsenal.
There are concerns that Arsenal will not be able to sign Tielemans unless they sanction a departure from their current crop of midfielders, though with Mohamed Elneny recently penning a new contract, it is unclear who that departing player would be.
The Gunners have already made one confirmed addition to their midfield ranks in the form of former Porto star Fabio Vieira, while Oleksandr Zinchenko can be deployed as a central midfielder is required. Leno still seems more likely to head to Craven Cottage, but any late twist could suit Arsenal as they look to strengthen before a trip to Selhurst Park on the opening night of the Premier League season.
