Arsenal’s links to Youri Tielemans has been ongoing throughout the summer transfer window without any serious breakthrough. But, with the Gunners losing out on potential alternatives, Edu must push through with the deal.
The north London side had been linked to Renato Sanches before the opening of the summer transfer window with French news outlet Jeunes Footeux reporting that the Portuguese international has emerged as the priority signing for Mikel Arteta in the summer.
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Sanches has moved to Paris Saint-Germain for a €15million (£12.5million) transfer fee. With another potential alternative to Tielemans being taken off the market, it is pivotal that Arsenal complete a deal before also losing out on Belgian.
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The Gunners will need to sign a midfielder due to a lack of depth and quality in the middle of the park. CBS Sports reported earlier in the season that Tielemans would be available for £30m, which makes him an absolute bargain to solve Arsenal’s midfield issues.
The 24-year-old has been a regular in the Premier League for the last three seasons and has played a big part in Leicester's Champions League push over the last few campaigns. The midfielder's impressive performances have seen the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid show interest in him.
More importantly, he has already played in 20 Champions League games, showing that he has the necessary European experience. With Arsenal striving for their own top-four push, this will be an added bonus.
Since the start of the 2019/2020 Premier League season, Tielemans ranks eighth for the most tackles made in the division, having tackled on 212 occasions. This is impressive for a midfielder who is more scrutinised than praised for his work on the defensive front, and it also shows why Arsenal should still pursue a deal to further accommodate the Vieira signing.
However, a deal has failed to materialise in this window Mikel Arteta's side have 'cooled' their interest in Tielemans, according to Sky Sports. The report claims that it's become increasingly likely that the Belgium international now signs a one-year contract extension at the King Power Stadium, with his current deal set to expire in 12 months.
However, this may not be Arsenal’s true intention as the same situation happened with Ramsdale in the previous summer transfer window. Tielemans would be an ideal acquisition for the Gunners, and with his cheap price tag it would be a surprise for Edu not to complete a deal.
Despite the Gunners reportedly cooling their interest in the midfielder, it is a potential deal that Edu should look to get back on track as the Belgium international would prove to be a bargain for the north London side.
The Gunners are not the only club interested in the Belgian as CBS Sports have also reported that Manchester United are interested in securing his services. If Arsenal are going to continue to pass up on potential alternatives to the Leicester midfielder which has been seen with Sanches, then it is crucial that Edu signs Tielemans to prevent leaving Arteta with a lack of options in the middle of the park.
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