Newcastle United are trying to hijack Leicester City’s bid to sign Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster report on their live transfer blog (Tuesday, 10.51pm) that Claude Puel’s side are “hopeful” of signing the 21-year-old on an initial loan with a view to a permanent summer transfer.
Sky report Leicester are aware of interest in the 21-year-old from Newcastle, as well as West Ham and Arsenal, and that could scupper their hopes of securing a late-window deal.
Sky reported earlier on the blog (8.10pm) that the north-east giants have asked about taking Tielemans on loan.
OPINION
Suddenly, things are looking up at Newcastle following a wretched few weeks, culminating in the so-predictable FA Cup defeat last weekend. The club have yet to sign a player this month but are closing in on two new signings, with playmaker Miguel Almiron and left-back Antonio Barreca booked in for Wednesday medicals. Could a third new arrival join them? Newcastle fans, already in dreamland after their barely-believable win against Manchester City on Tuesday night, will be further rubbing their eyes in disbelief if their club can successfully ambush Leicester, a club who have been far more ambitious in the transfer market in recent years. Certainly, Tielemans would be an excellent signing for any Premier League outfit. He is a central midfielder with 19 Belgium caps who has been a regular at struggling Monaco this season, scoring an impressive five goals from 20 league games. That is the sort of quality in the middle of the pitch that Newcastle are crying out for.