Why Tielemans' Champions League wish puts Arsenal ahead of Man Utd in race

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 27 Mar 2022 02:43 CDT
• 4 min read

Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans has revealed his wishes to play Champions League football amidst plenty of summer interest in him.

Tielemans, 24, joined Leicester in January 2019, initially on a six-month loan deal from Monaco, before that was made permanent just days after returning to the Ligue 1 club.

However, since then he was been the subject of much transfer talk, with rumours constantly linking him with a move away from the King Power Stadium.

Recently most read

Liverpool star to permanently replace Mbappe as France captain

Premier League managers: Full list of current bosses

Which football managers have been sacked this season?

Liverpool were the leading candidates last summer, but this time around Manchester United and Arsenal seem to be running away with proceedings. Both clubs are in search of a new central midfielder, and feel Tielemans, with his Premier League experience, is the ideal player to fit their respective systems.

Away on international duty, Tielemans told Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws of his desire to play at a higher club level. "I don’t worry about it [speculation]," he said. "I want to get the most out of myself this season and finish as high as possible with the team."

Leicester currently sit 10th in the Premier League after a tricky start to the campaign. They are, however, through to the Europa Conference League quarter-final, where they will face PSV over two legs.

Despite that level of European football, Tielemans wants more. "Of course, I want to play in the Champions League, just like any footballer," he added.

"Am I ready for a European top club? I’m ready to get the best out of my career.

"We’ll see what happens next summer, or the summer after that."

Tielemans' contract at Leicester expires in 2023, so this remains the last window the Foxes will be able to demand big money for the player, given his deal will enter its final year this summer.

The midfielder, who recently captained Belgium in their 2-2 draw against the Republic of Ireland, will have no shortage of suitors this upcoming transfer window, having scored seven and assisted three in all competitions in a struggling Leicester side this season.

But, his comments suggest Man Utd are currently trailing Arsenal in the hunt for his services.

Why Arsenal over Man Utd?

The main reason is simply the form Mikel Arteta's side have shown recently. Arsenal's resurgence has seen them climb up the league table at an alarming rate, with the Gunners now comfortable in fourth place.

They are currently four points clear of Man Utd with a game in hand, meaning they can stretch that advantage to seven points.

Arsenal's young, exciting side look odds-on favourites to finish behind the top three and hence claim the final Champions League spot, leaving Man Utd to play Europa League football.

With Tielemans expressing his wishes to play in Europe's elite club competition, Man Utd lose an edge to Arsenal, who would be able to offer Champions League football to the Belgium star.

Tielemans would likely be deployed next to Thomas Partey in a double pivot at the Emirates, in something similar to the role he currently occupies at Leicester; another reason why he could choose Arsenal over Man Utd.

The pair will battle it out in the boardroom for Tielemans' services, but performances on the pitch may make the biggest difference.