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Arsenal have intensified their pursuit of Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Premier League leaders are currently on course to win the Premier League despite having played one more game than the defending champions, Manchester City.
The Gunners currently lead Manchester City by eight points despite having played one more game and look more and more likely to secure a first top-flight title in some time.
Tielemans Could Provide Boost to Gunners Midfield
But, things have not gone smoothly for Mikel Arteta in the middle of the field, as Mohamed Elneny’s injury has limited his choices in terms of his midfield selection.
Jorginho was acquired from Chelsea on the final day of the January transfer window, and the experienced Italian international has proved to be a crucial addition to the current Arsenal squad amid injuries.
In spite of this, it is widely believed that Arsenal will be in the market for another midfielder prior to the 2023–24 season.
According to UK outlet TEAMtalk, Arsenal are prepared to redouble their efforts to obtain Tielemans’ services.
Since 2021, when he reached the final two years of his contract, uncertainty has surrounded the future of the Belgium international at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester had intended to sign the playmaker to a long-term contract, but the Foxes have declined significantly since Tielemans scored the game-winning goal in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Due to Leicester’s position in the Premier League relegation zone with ten games remaining, Brendan Rodgers departed his position as head coach two days ago, placing the club in uncertain circumstances.
Tielemans Demands Could Disrupt Arsenal Move
Due to an ankle injury, Tielemans has played only sparingly for Leicester over the previous two months, and Rodgers revealed last week that the 25-year-old could be out until the final stages of the season.
In total, the Belgian international has appeared on 23 occasions for the Foxes this season in the Premier League, scoring three times and providing one assist.
Throughout this time, Arsenal have reportedly engaged in negotiations with the player’s representation in an attempt to fend off a multitude of rivals.
According to certain sources, however, Tielemans’ wage demands are now judged too exorbitant, and Arsenal has already expressed reluctance to commit to the requested outlay.
Newcastle United are supposedly also interested in signing Tielemans but they will need to be diligent in order to meet FIFA’s FFP requirements following their spending under their new ownership.
Before the can consider their options regarding a move for Tielemans, Arsenal face a crucial game this weekend in their current Premier League campaign.
The North London side travel to Anfield on Sunday where they will face Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Though the Reds are fresh off the back of a decisive defeat to recent rivals Manchester City, they are not a side to be disregarded.
The club’s dismantling of Manchester United last month came as a surprise to many, given the Merseysiders form this season, but they could well pull out another big performance this weekend to put a serious dent in Arsenal’s title hopes.
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