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Arsenal could beat arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Youri Tielemans, with Champions League on the horizon, according to transfer insider Dean Jones…
THE LOWDOWN: TIELEMANS PURSUIT
The Gunners are currently in pole position to return to the Champions League next term, with them sitting fourth in the Premier League standings.
According to the Evening Standard, maintaining that coveted position could prove crucial in their pursuit of the Belgian as the Leicester midfielder is desperate to seal a move to a club competing in Europe’s top competition.
The report suggests the 49-cap Belgium international, who has been identified as one of the north Londoners’ top targets heading into the summer, could be lured away from the King Power Stadium by lodging a bid worth in the region of £30m.
However, Arsenal are not Tielemans’ only suitors as arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur – along with La Liga duo Barcelona and Real Madrid – have been keeping tabs on his situation over the past year.
And a big update has emerged as to who the midfield ace could join this summer.
THE LATEST: THEY CAN GET HIM
Jones believes there is a strong possibility that Tielemans will be on Arsenal’s books by the time the summer window slams shut.
The transfer insider understands the central midfielder is keen to leave the King Power and is on top of Mikel Arteta’s list of targets.
He told GIVEMESPORT:
“Brendan Rodgers thinks he might have hit his ceiling and it’s a pretty big shout, but he has seen a lot of him.
“We know that Tielemans has got ambitions to play elsewhere, so if Arsenal or Tottenham come in for him, I think they can get him.
“He’s definitely on Arsenal’s radar, but Tottenham want him as well.”
THE VERDICT: GET IT DONE
Tielemans, a proven Premier League playmaker, would inject real creativity into Arteta’s midfield, with Man City boss Pep Guardiola even calling the 24-year-old a “top, top-class player”.
On a reported £120k-per-week, he wouldn’t exactly break the club’s wage structure, with the only obstacle being just how much the Foxes could demand this summer.
The latest reports suggest Tielemans could cost a cut-price somewhere in and around the £30m mark due to his contract situation.
This fee suddenly makes his signing far more realistic at the Gunners and we believe it is little surprise that the Arsenal boss has now earmarked him as a top summer target.
If that is indeed the figure required to secure his signature then the north London must quickly get it done.
AND in other news, “Statement of intent” – Insider drops Arsenal transfer claim on “frightening” £54m-rated hitman…
