'Arsenal still want Youri Tielemans' - Fabrizio Romano

Cameron Smith

• 19 Jan 2023 11:39 CST
• 3 min read

Arsenal remain interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans as they look to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table.

Tielemans, 25, has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for the previous two transfer windows but a deal has never been struck between the two clubs.

Now, with just six months left on his deal at Leicester, the Gunners are looking potentially signing the Belgium international on a cut-price deal this January, or on a free transfer this summer.

READ: How Arsenal could line up with Leandro Trossard

Either way, the club are still keen to sign the central midfielder in a bid to provide greater competition and depth in the middle of the park.

West Ham United's Declan Rice has also been linked with a move to Mikel Arteta's side in recent days, with the Englishman emerging as a transfer target for the North London side. Chelsea and Manchester United have previously been linked.

However, it's unlikely the England international will leave the London Stadium halfway through the season, especially with West Ham facing a relegation battle under David Moyes.

READ: Revealed: Arsenal's three-man midfield shortlist

Arsenal to sign Tielemans?

The Gunners are set to sign Brighton's Leandro Trossard after missing out on Mkyhailo Mudryk, but their January business is unlikely to stop there.

Fabrizio Romano told Wett Freunde: "Arsenal have always wanted Tielemans at the club and they still want him. But Tielemans does not want to change in January. His contract expires in the summer and he wants to transfer free of charge.

"Arsenal are currently focused on signing a winger and a striker. They are not concentrating on one midfielder at the moment, but of course that can change in the last few days if the right player gets a chance."

He also spoke about the chances of Rice joining Arsenal, revealing: "I don't think Declan Rice will move in January. He will stay at West Ham because they are in a very difficult situation at the moment and need him for the rest of the season. He will probably change in the summer."