Arsenal have done background checks on Youri Tielemans but a move to sign the Leicester City midfielder now looks somewhat unlikely.
That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who has been talking about Tielemans’ future with Give Me Sport.
Jones claims that Arsenal have conducted ‘full background checks’ on Tielemans as they weigh up a bargain move.
However, Jones adds that the feeling right now is that Arsenal won’t be looking to snap up Tielemans this summer.
Instead, Arsenal may now aim a little higher for a new midfielder this summer as they close in on the Premier League title.
Names like Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo have been mentioned and may now make more sense for Arsenal than Tielemans.
Arsenal didn’t quite expect their season to go this well and with their standards rising, it looks like Tielemans won’t be arriving after all.
Youri Tielemans isn’t right for Arsenal
We can understand the appeal with Tielemans.
The 25-year-old has been hailed as ‘special‘ by Wes Morgan and has largely impressed during his time at Leicester.
The Belgian is out of contract and can move for free whilst offering a proven Premier League option in midfield.
Yet there has also been a feeling that Tielemans can do more on a consistent basis and he doesn’t feel like a great fit for Arsenal right now.
Tielemans isn’t suited to the lone holding role in Mikel Arteta’s midfield and whilst he could compete with Granit Xhaka further forward, there have been questions about his athletic ability at the very highest level.
Arsenal are now looking for top-quality stars and Tielemans now seems like a shade or two short of that level.
The Gunners were right to at least have a look at Tielemans given his availability but there are other midfielders out there who suit Arteta’s style a little better than the former Monaco ace.
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