Journalist Pete O’Rourke has told This Is Futbol that Newcastle United are trying to use their long-term plans as a way to sign Youri Tielemans.
There have been reports stating that Newcastle United have officially joined the race to sign Tielemans, but the other sides who are interested in Tielemans include Arsenal, who can offer the Belgian midfielder European football next season.
Tielemans has just one year remaining on his contract, so he could be available at a cheaper price as Leicester City might not want to let him see out his contract and leave the club on a free transfer at the end of next term.
Although Newcastle might not be able to offer Tielemans European football just yet, O’Rourke claimed that they will be wanting to compete in Europe in the next few seasons – and this could be a persuading factor for the Belgian midfielder.
He said: “I think for Tielemans, Newcastle obviously have got a long-term project, got big ambitious plans now under the Saudi ownership as well, so I’m sure they’ll be trying to use that to persuade Tielemans to maybe make the move to Newcastle because probably in the next couple of seasons, Newcastle want to be challenging for the top four and becoming regulars in European football as well.”
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TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments…
Newcastle have signed three players so far this summer in Nick Pope, Matt Targett, and Sven Botman – all defensive options – so Eddie Howe might be keen to bring in someone further forward up the pitch as his next signing.
Tielemans had 10 goal contributions in 32 Premier League games for Leicester last season, so he can provide goals from midfield, and at just 25 years old, he could be a good option to be part of the long-term future, though the lack of European football for next season could put the Belgian off a move to St James’ Park, so he may consider it a gamble to move to Tyneside.