Former England international and Arsenal fan Darren Bent believes the Premier League leaders can sign Youri Tielemans in the January transfer window if they offer Leicester City £20 million for the Belgium international, speaking to talkSPORT (8 November, 4.20pm).
After a difficult 12 months or so following Leicester’s FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea, Tielemans could hardly have picked a better time to remind us all that class is, indeed, permanent.
Belgium’s World Cup opener against Croatia is just a fortnight away. A place in Roberto Martinez’s starting XI is his to lose. And, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2023, Tielemans can also secure himself a move to one of Europe’s premiere clubs should he maintain his recent purple patch on the biggest of stages.
A lack of top-quality depth in Arsenal’s title-chasing engine room has Bent arguing that Tielemans should be right at the top of Mikel Arteta’s Christmas list too.
Will Arsenal make a move for Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans?
“I think it’s so important that Arsenal try and get another midfield player in January,” says Bent, the Gunners-supporting former Tottenham Hotspur striker.
“Thomas Partey is the most important part of that Arsenal team. When he’s fit and firing like he is at the minute, Arsenal look like a completely different outfit. (Granit) Xhaka looks completely different, the back four look more comfortable. (There is a) belief of what’s in front of them.
“(But) I would try and get someone like Youri Tielemans. He’s 25 years old. You’ve seen the repertoire of goals he’s scored this season. Also, he’s on a free at the end of the season. Go to Leicester in January, (offer) £20million, you get him.”
After channelling his inner-Ruben Neves at Molineux recently, Tielemans repeated the trick during Leicester’s 2-0 victory away at Everton on Saturday afternoon, picking out the top corner with an outrageous volley from the edge of the penalty area.
Some would argue that ball-striking ability like this is worth £20 million alone.
“He’s been a fantastic professional for us,” Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers told the Express last week. “And even though he’s in the situation with his contract, he’s never wavered. Youri provides the team with great knowhow in the game. (He is a) wonderful player to work with.
“I would love him to sign another deal and continue his journey here at Leicester City. But we will see in the coming months.”
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