Arsenal have done “all their reports” on Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans, and a deal to sign the midfielder “is pretty much there” should the north London club decide to make a move this summer.
That is according to Dean Jones, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the Gunners’ latest transfer plans this summer heading into the final few weeks of the transfer window.
Football.London has reported that Mikel Arteta’s side were waiting for departures from the squad before making a move for Tielemans, but with four players having left the club permanently at the time of writing, the north London side may now have the funds to complete a transfer.
It is thought that Leicester City have placed a £30m asking price on the 52-cap international this summer, whose contract at the King Power Stadium expires next summer.
And despite links to Foxes teammate James Maddison, Jones believes that the club have acquired full scouting knowledge of Tielemans having registered their interest this summer, and appear closer to arranging a deal for the Belgian.
He said: “If Arsenal were going to sign a Leicester player, I think it’s more likely that it’s going to be Tielemans at this point.
“They’ve done all their reports on Tielemans, they know he would fit in the team, they know exactly what terms he’s looking for.
“The background to the deal for Tielemans is pretty much there and there’s not too much to do if they were to go and do it.”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments…
We believe that Arsenal fans will be delighted to hear that they have a plan in place if they are to make a move for Tielemans this summer.
The 25-year-old, who former Anderlecht midfielder Par Zetterberg once described as a “phenomenon”, made 50 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side last season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists, according to Transfermarkt.
We think that Tielemans would give Arteta’s midfield a different dynamic this season, with the progressive midfielder able to provide attacking returns from the middle of the park, and perhaps a foil to the likes of Granit Xhaka is exactly what the Gunners need.