Arsenal could now back away from signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans due to how much the Foxes are asking for their star player with the Belgian’s contract expiring next year.
According to the Athletic, Arsenal have doubts over how much Leicester are demanding for Tielemans, which could lead to the Gunners backing away from the 25-year-old in the final week of the transfer window, with the north London side already reportedly prioritising the signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves.
Tielemans has been on Arsenal’s radar for the majority of the summer, with recent reports suggesting that Leicester could sell the midfielder for just €20m (£17m), however, these now seem to be not what the King Power Stadium side are demanding given that the Gunners deem the former AS Monaco star too expensive.
The Red Devils international has just 12 months remaining on his contract with Tielemans showing no sign of penning a new deal with Leicester in the coming days, and because of this, Arsenal hold a lot of negotiating power in talks with the Foxes for their star midfielder.
Indeed, the Gunners remain interested in Tielemans, but with Edu Gaspar seemingly not willing to meet the midfielder’s asking price, Arsenal could now back away from the 25-year-old in the final week of the transfer window in a move that could infuriate some supporters.
Many fans had been hoping Tielemans would join this summer, and although Arsenal have already signed Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko, adding the Belgian to the squad will be a huge step in the right direction for the north London side for the new season.
Arsenal are taking a calculated risk if they back away from Tielemans
Hailed by Brenden Rodgers as a ‘phenomenal’ player, it makes sense why Arsenal and fans are keen on signing Tielemans this summer, but with the Gunners now weighing up the idea of walking away from a deal, the north London side are taking a big calculated risk with their decision.
After all, Tielemans would be a great addition to the squad and a potential long-term replacement for one Granit Xhaka, and missing out on the Belgian could be viewed as a black mark in what has so far been a great transfer window for Arsenal this summer.
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