Man Utd overtake Arsenal to battle Dortmund for Tielemans

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 15 Mar 2023 15:32 GMT
• 4 min read

Confirmed

Leicester City midfielder Youri Telemans is out of contract at the end of the season, and the Belgium international has a string of major teams lining up to sign him on a free transfer.

This is a saga that has been running for the best part of a year, with Arsenal and Manchester United both credited with an interest in the 25-year-old, who will become a free agent in the summer when his current deal runs out.

Leicester, meanwhile, are still hoping that the former Monaco midfielder might sign a new contract with the club, but the prospect of that is fading with each passing day, particularly as interest mounts from some major European club.

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Who will sign Youri Tielemans?

FootballTransfers’ understanding is that the three leading clubs shake up like this.

3. Arsenal

Talks have been ongoing between Tielemans and Arsenal, but the problem with a move to the Emirates is that the player will not be given the guarantees of first-team football that he wishes. Instead, he will have to fight for his place in the starting XI.

While it is attractive for a player of Tielemans’ quality to be battling for a place in the team, the former Anderlecht youth wants greater assurance of game time. Therefore, the chances of a move to Arsenal are diminishing.

2. Manchester United

At Man Utd, there is also the issue of game time, but it is FootballTransfers’ understanding that Tielemans is liable to play more regularly at Old Trafford than he would at Arsenal. Here, he would be in direct competition with Christian Eriksen and stands a realistic chance of winning the duel to become the Red Devils’ box-to-box presence, according to sources.

MORE: Man Utd fans find 'proof' Tielemans will sign in the summer

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1. Borussia Dortmund

Storming into the lead in the race to sign Tielemans are Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga side will move Jude Bellingham on for a huge fee in the summer and have their eyes fixed upon Tielemans as a potential replacement.

With a void opening up in BVB’s midfield, the Belgian would be guaranteed the game time he wishes and have the chance to play for a competitive club that is likely to be in the Champions League.

Of course, much can change in the transfer market, but the signs currently are that the Tielemans will be off to the Bundesliga in the summer.