Speaking on The Done Deal Show, Dean Jones has been discussing Youri Tielemans’ transfer situation as he continues to struggle to secure a move away from Leicester City.
The Belgian is heading into the final year of his Foxes contract, and it was reported months ago that he’d definitely be on his way out of the East Midlands this summer.
However, just three weeks away from the new Premier League season’s curtain-raiser, Tielemans still doesn’t have a new club, and according to Jones, his chances of getting a move are looking slimmer and slimmer after Arsenal reached an agreement to sign Oleksander Zinchenko from Manchester City.
At one point, both Arsenal and Tottenham were after the Belgian, and while neither move is now likely to materialise, the journalist says that the ‘special’ midfielder would have in fact chosen Spurs over Arsenal.
What’s been said?
Jones spoke about Tielemans’ situation.
“Where does this leave Tielemans? That was his best chance of going anywhere. He would have chosen Tottenham over Arsenal because they have Champions League football, and I still remember getting the text last season saying if Tottenham get fourth spot Tielemans is at the top of their list, but it just hasn’t come through,” Jones said.
Champions League pull
That’s the difference between finishing fourth and fifth.
Yes, Arsenal may be the more historically successful club between the two great north London rivals, but Tottenham can offer the immediate chance to play in the Champions League, and that’s the difference maker.
Tottenham and Arsenal are bound to clash over a number of transfer targets every summer, but as long as Spurs are finishing in the top four and Arsenal aren’t, these targets are going to choose the white half of north London over the red side.
Arsenal need to make up that ground on Spurs this season.
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