Youri Tielemans transfer: Should Leicester midfielder pick Arsenal or Spurs?
Youri Tielemans looks set to leave Leicester City this summer with his contract expiring in 2023 and no sign of any new deal being agreed.
The 25-year-old Belgium international has attracted attention from around Europe’s top clubs thanks to his form over the past three years since signing for Leicester and should have his pick of suitors this summer should a suitable fee be agreed with his club.
Considering Tielemans only has a year to run on a four-year deal signed in 2019, he could be available for as little as £30 million - an attractive fee for a player in his prime who is on the brink of 50 international caps.
"That is not out of the question,” the Anderlecht graduate said on Belgium duty this week when quizzed on a potential transfer this summer ahead of the Nations League game against Poland.
"I feel very good at Leicester, I was welcomed with open arms from day one. I'll give everything for the club until the last day.
"But of course you have to listen to other opportunities, you have to look at your career, and sometimes you have to make choices. Maybe one will come my way."
Tielemans makes perfect sense for Arsenal
Arsenal have been credited as long-term suitors of Tielemans and adding him would surely prove to be a smart piece of business for Mikel Arteta should the midfielder be convinced of a move to the Emirates.
The Gunners’ season ran aground in the final stages of their Premier League campaign with injuries and a dramatic loss of form leading to six defeats in their final 12 matches.
That horror run featured the loss of Thomas Partey, at long last Arsenal’s best midfielder following his 2020 move from Atletico Madrid, and his absence could not be compensated for as the North Londoners slipped out of the Champions League running at the final hurdle.
By adding Tielemans, a performer of proven Premier League and international class, Arsenal would be adding not only numbers to a thinly-stocked midfield but a player who genuinely improves their options in that position.
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The club were prepared to give up on Granit Xhaka last summer but he stuck around for another indifferent campaign while Albert Sambi Lokonga remains a work in progress. Mohamed Elneny may have just signed a new contract but Arsenal need to be upgrading their midfield options in order to get back to where they feel they belong.
The signing of Tielemans makes perfect sense if they can get a deal done. The only complication might be that absence of Champions League football for another season at least.
Spurs a better option than Arsenal
Arsenal blew it at the last with Spurs stealing in to clinch fourth place and they too have been credited with interest in Tielemans. Should it come down to a matter of top-level continental football then Arsenal would be relegated to second-favourites to sign him.
Antonio Conte looks to be building a formidable unit across town and has proven to be a title winner at multiple clubs when he gets the players he wants. While catching Manchester City and Liverpool at this stage of Spurs’ development remains a distant possibility, adding Tielemans would certainly help them get closer.
The additions of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur helped Spurs immeasurably in their pursuit of Champions League football during the latter stages of the season and Conte will expect the club to kick on again in the transfer market.
Their midfield options are currently sound but do not stretch far. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is Conte’s first choice at the base of midfield and his presence has been supplemented nicely by Bentancur.
With Harry Winks set to leave for increased first-team football elsewhere, Spurs potentially have a gap in that area of their squad. With Champions League football on offer, they could provide an added lure to Tielemans.
Spurs have a better squad, spearheaded by Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, a better manager and, overall, their prospects look a lot more promising than over at the Emirates.
