Paul Merson has stated that it ‘worries me’ that Arsenal target, Youri Tielemans, doesn’t want to sign a new contract at Leicester City, as he told Sky Sports News (12/02/22 at 1:45 pm).
The former Arsenal midfielder thinks, if players like that start ‘leaving’, then that’s an issue for Brendan Rodgers and his Leicester side following their poor form this season.
Italian journalist, Fabrizio Romano, claimed on Twitter that Tielemans ‘will not extend his contract’ after a new deal was put on the table for his technical talents.
The Belgian’s current contract expires in 2023, so the Foxes are in a situation where they need to sell the 24-year-old in the summer or get him to sign on the dotted line.
It feels as though they may have to resort to the former and Merson, as a result, is worried for those at the King Power Stadium.
“What worries me, more than anything,” said Merson. “Tielemans, I read, he won’t be signing a new contract or he has turned a new contract down.
“That’s where my worry starts. When them players start leaving. Then you start (worrying).”
All of this should be music to the ears of Arsenal, especially if they get into the Champions League.
That is still up for debate because they have a fight on their hands for that fourth spot.
But, it does seem as though Leicester won’t even finish in a European spot this season and Arsenal should secure a Europa League place, at the very least.
If that happens, it will be interesting to see how Tielemans reacts and whether the £35 million man (Sky Sports) would say ‘yes’ to Arsenal, even if they don’t make Champions League football.
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