Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans 'top of the list' for a potential transfer this summer, according to reports. The move is yet to be made by the Gunners, but it could spoil a reported plan by director Edu to land Lyon star Lucas Paqueta.
The central ranks have been an area of very little change over the transfer market so far. with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira offering potential cover there, but aren't first choices in the middle. There were struggles with depth in midfield last season, especially when Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka were out of action or the latter had to play left-back.
While there have been links for certain players to play solely in the midfield, a move is yet to be made to bolster that area while outgoings remain the priority. It backs up a claim from Arteta surrounding the transfer plan and decisions the side will make all the way back in January.
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"We only want the best players and the best people in this club," The manager said on his recruitment. "When we are in a rush and the reasons are not right for getting a player into the club, we decide not to do it."
That could be a key reason surrounding patience in a move for Tielemans, who has been a long-term target for the Gunners. At this stage, Arsenal are prepared to wait until Youri Tielemans’ current contract expires to secure the Belgian on a free transfer, football.london understands.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners could land him this summer. Speaking on the Que Golazo podcast, he claimed that the Belgian remained "top of the list" for transfer targets, but could make a move if outgoings from the club continue.
That is despite a different "plan" in the midfield for director Edu. According to transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, the former midfielder's priority is Lyon star Lucas Paqueta, although though a move in January is more likely than this summer. Writing on Twitter, Tavolieri said: "My feeling is that #Arsenal will wait the winter for trying to get Lucas Paqueta (who’s the real priority of Edu Gaspar in the midfield) as there is no real need at this position for the moment."
It remains to be seen which of the two, if not both, players the Gunners go for in the transfer market. However, that may be a decision that isn't decided this summer and it could be a saga that draws on to January and beyond.
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