Micah Richards has slammed Arsenal target, Youri Tielemans, for being ‘disrespectful’ towards Leicester City, as he told Sky Sports PL (13/02/22 at 7:10 pm).
The Sky pundit added that Tielemans comments about being unsure as to whether he will stay or leave the King Power ‘unsettled’ his side.
The 24-year-old is seemingly on the radar of a number of clubs, including Arsenal, with the Foxes set to demand £40 million for his talents, as reported by 90 min.
Back in September, Tielemans opened up about his future in the Midlands and how he may not sign a new deal.
Well, now it seems that won’t happen – his current deal runs out in 2023 – as Fabrizio Romano has suggested he won’t sign on the dotted line.
Despite admitting that the ‘top clubs’ will be interested in the Belgian midfielder, Richards seemingly didn’t appreciate how he has conducted himself on occasions.
“Youri Tielemans, we all know that he is a fantastic player,” said Richards. “The technique that he has. The work rate. He can dominate in midfield.
“The interview he gave, last September, talking about whether or not he’s signing a new contract or if he’s leaving. I thought it was disrespectful.
“Leicester gave him the platform that he is on now. He has elevated his game. Yes, there is going to be interest from the top clubs because he is a top player.
“But I just thought he unsettled the camp a little bit. And they needed him. He has six goals this season. But he hasn’t gone to the levels of last season.”
It would be some coup from the Gunners if they were able to lure Tielemans towards their direction in the summer.
Given his contract situation, Leicester either have to sell him in the summer, persuade him to sign on the dotted line or risk losing him for nothing next year.
More than likely, it now seems as though he will be sold and given his qualities, but Arsenal won’t be the only ones keen on him.
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