According to Football London, Arsenal are now prepared to wait until 2023 to sign Tottenham target Youri Tielemans.
What’s the story?
Well, Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with the Belgium international, and were confident of agreeing a fee with Leicester.
However, the Foxes are demanding £32m for Tielemans, which the Gunners feel is too much for a player who becomes a free agent in June 2023.
Therefore, Edu is now prepared to wait until then, when he can sign the 25-year-old for nothing.
However, Football London understand that external factors could chance that stance, and if another side make a move for Tielemans – Tottenham are interested – then Arsenal will ditch their plan and accelerate talks with Leicester.
It is a risky game to play for Arsenal, as the Belgian is a classy midfielder who is seemingly not short of suitors.
Newcastle are also said to be interested in Tielemans, and if he does end up becoming a free agent next summer, there will presumably be a very, very long queue for his signature.
Interest in the Leicester No.8 comes after he scored seven goals in 50 appearances last season, while also providing five assists.
Arsenal can beat Tottenham and others to Youri Tielemans
In our view, Arsenal should attempt to arrange a pre-agreement with Tielemans.
As aforesaid, the north Londoners have already agreed personal terms with the Belgian, which suggests he is clearly keen to make the move to the Emirates Stadium.
To save them some money, Arsenal could find a way to obtain a verbal agreement with Tielemans, which would involve him staying at Leicester for one more season, before joining on a free transfer in 2023.
Failing that, perhaps a cut-price deal could be arranged if Arsenal agree to loan Tielemans back to Leicester for one season.
Whatever happens, we feel it is too risky to wait until 2023, as the potential opportunities for Tielemans are likely to increase substantially next summer if he is becomes a free agent.
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