Arsenal technical director Edu looks to have found Mikel Arteta an alternative to Youri Tielemans, with the Leicester City midfielder yet to decide his future. The 25-year-old faces an increasingly uncertain future at the King Power Stadium as he enters the final 12 months of his deal.
football.london understands that the Gunners are interested in signing the Belgium international despite having already signed a midfielder this summer - Fabio Vieira. And, initially, it looked as if the former Porto star's move to north London would deter Tielemans from penning a deal in north London.
But, with Arsenal having held a long interest in the Belgian and the Foxes leaving the door open to exits, he could well be on the move. However, with the Premier League underway and the transfer window slamming shut on September 1, Edu has found an alternative should a deal for Tielemans not materialise.
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According to The Mirror, Arsenal have 'identified' RC Lens midfielder Seko Fofana. It is said that the 27-year-old will cost Arteta's side in the region of £40million, which is more than Leicester's reported £30 million valuation of Tielemans.
Fofana, who sees his contract at the Estadio Bollaert-Delelis expire in 2024, featured 38 times for RC Lens in Ligue 1 last season, directly contributing to nine goals while wearing the armband. And, he's continued in the same vein leading his side to a 3-2 win over Stade Brest on the opening day of the 2022/23 campaign.
Arsenal's interest in the Ivory Coast international follows comments made by both Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers and Tielemans at the weekend. Rodgers revealed ahead of the match against Brentford that the Belgian was keen to solve his future: "Of course, it is in the back of the mind, that sort of what-if scenario. But I know he is also very keen to… he doesn’t want anything to drag on either.
"He really, really enjoys being here and his young family really enjoy the area. He doesn’t want to put his kids into school, start school and then have to end up taking them out. He is very much a family man. The conversation was really good, really open, really honest and we both know where it’s at."
Then, ahead of the clash with Arsenal this weekend, Tielemans insisted that he is preparing as usual despite looming interest from the opposition. Reacting to an opening day 2-2 draw with Brentford on Instagram, he wrote: "Disappointed with the result (against Brentford) but it was a good game from the team. Now let’s work and focus for next Saturday."
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