Arsenal's interest in Youri Tielemans is long-standing as the club look to bolster their midfield options for next season.
Despite re-signing Mohamed Elneny to a new contract at the end of the 2021/22 season, the Gunners have been linked to a host of midfielders from Wolves' Ruben Neves to Houssem Aouar of Lyon. With options across Europe, interest in Leicester City's Tielemans remains and a deal this summer could be on the cards.
The Foxes are keen to hold on to the 25-year-old but the player himself is reportedly eyeing up a move elsewhere, with the Gunners a viable option should he depart the King Power Stadium. Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has denied speculation that Tielemans has rejected a new contract with only one year left on his current deal.
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Should Leicester decide to cash in on the Belgian star, Arsenal are believed to be one of the most interested clubs in the midfielder's services. A £25million bid is set to be made in the near future and should the deal go ahead, there are a few numbers available to Tielemans which have played a major role in his past.
Currently sporting the no.8 with the Foxes, that number was taken last season by Martin Odegaard and won't be available should Tielemans make the switch this summer. But eight is not the only number the midfielder has had on the back of his shirt in his four-year stay in the Premier League.
When he first arrived in England after leaving AS Monaco, Tielemans wore 21 which is currently available at the Emirates Stadium. Last worn by Calum Chambers, Arsenal could offer the Belgian a throwback to four years ago. It's a number he only wore for one season and had never worn before but it would be the best option available.
Another number Tielemans used to wear which he could revive at Arsenal is 15. Last worn in his second season in France, after switching from 17, it was a short-lived spell but could be an option should he not fancy 21. Cedric currently wears 17 and the defender is expected to stay at the club next season.
If Tielemans really wants to embrace his career so far and revert to an old number, 31 is free and the number the player first wore when he made his debut with Anderlecht back in the 2013/14 season. Four seasons wearing 31 makes it tied with eight as the number he has worn for the longest at club level.
