Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in Youri Tielemans race

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 9 May 2022 07:43 CDT
• 3 min read

Arsenal are still eager to sign Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans this summer as they look to improve their options in that area in the transfer window.

The Gunners have been looking at various targets in that area, and Tielemans is high on their shortlist, but they will face competition from other clubs if they are to sign the player.

The Belgium international will enter the final year of his contract at the Foxes next season, and a move for him could be relatively cheap in the upcoming transfer window.

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Arsenal confident of getting Tielemans

According to reports, there is a “growing confidence” from Arsenal that they will be able to sign the player, especially if they secure Champions League football.

Arsenal have faced injury issues in midfield over the course of this season, with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey constantly facing issues and adding Tielemans would give them more depth.

Real Madrid have also maintained an interest in the player, but having held talks since last year, Arsenal seem to be in a better position than the Spanish champions to sign the midfielder.

Speaking earlier in the season, Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers said he wouldn’t stop Tielmans from leaving: “We are real as a football club. You’ll get people asking if we can hang on to these players for the next six or seven years.”

Rodgers continued: “But the reality is that if a player does really well at Leicester, he may want to leave and move on to another club. For us, it’s just about being ready for that.”

Arsenal could secure qualification for the Champions League as early as this Thursday, should they beat Tottenham, and that would mark their return to the competition for the first time since 2017.

That would give them an extra chunk of funds to spend in the summer, allowing them to pursue more targets such as Tielemans and fend off competition with the appeal of Champions League football.

Other than Arsenal, there is interest in Tielemans from Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, something the Gunners will be vary of if they want their man.