Leicester City star Youri Tielemans has already revealed why he rejected a move to Arsenal as the Gunners eye a fresh move for the Belgium midfielder.
Mikel Arteta has made Tielemans one of his top targets ahead of the summer transfer window as he looks to add to his midfield options at the Emirates Stadium. He is set to enter the final year of his Leicester contract this summer and could be available on a bargain deal, with the Foxes under more pressure to sell instead of losing him on a free transfer next summer.
Premier League rivals Manchester United have also been linked but the Gunners could potentially position themselves at the front of the queue for the Belgian international should they secure a Champions League place over the closing weeks of the season.
Despite any potential deal, the Gunners could be worried by the fact that they have been rejected by Tielemans in the past. They have been linked on a few occasions previously - particularly when the midfielder was making waves with Belgian top-flight side Anderlecht.
In the end, the now 25-year-old turned down a switch to north London in favour of a move to AS Monaco in the summer of 2017. It did not quite turn out as envisaged for Tielemans at the Stade Louis II, with the midfielder sealing an initial loan move to Leicester only a season-and-a-half later.
After his initial move to France though, he explained why he chose to turn down a switch to Arsenal. As quoted by the Evening Standard back in 2017, he said: “I knew not much was going to change with Arsenal’s squad.
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“Their management wanted to keep the same group of players together in order to finish high in the Premier League. I had to be honest with myself and take a look at the midfielders Arsenal have got.
“They are top-class players. I knew that I would not get many first-team chances with them, so I didn't give any more thought to joining them. I never said no to any club. But I made it clear where I wanted to go.”
Tielemans has once again been a key player for Leicester this season, despite a thoroughly disappointing campaign on the domestic front. He has made 46 appearances in all competitions for Brendan Rodgers’ side, scoring seven goals.
The 49-time Belgian international could represent a fresh option in the heart of the Arsenal midfield as the Gunners aim to consider Champions League football for the first time in four years. There is currently doubt over the future of Granit Xhaka amid continued links with Serie A side AS Roma.
Meanwhile, reports are suggesting that the Gunners have opened talks with Egyptian Mohamed Elneny over an extended contract in north London, with the former Basel men set to be out of contract at the end of the current season.
