Arsenal are risking Youri Tielemans U-turn after ‘agreement’ revealed – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers could block a potential exit for Youri Tielemans this summer with Arsenal still yet to stump up for the midfielder.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted The Foxes would struggle to replace someone of the 25-year-old’s quality at this late stage of the window.
According to football.london (9 August), Arsenal have had an agreement with Tielemans “for some time” and remain confident of securing his signature for a cut-price this summer.
However, the report claims the midfielder has a good relationship with the Midlands club and Leicester could block a move if the Gunners don’t meet their £32million asking price.
The publication report that Tielemans could even sign a one-year contract extension – with his current terms set to expire in June 2023.
Whelan claimed both clubs are in a “catch 22” with the Belgium international’s future in the balance.
“Brendan Rodgers may want to just keep the squad together which he knows will keep them around the top half of the Premier League,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“If there’s no big bid coming in, he may just want to risk losing Tielemans for free next summer.
“There’s many ways of looking at it. For Leicester to lose a player of his quality so late in the window – where do you replace him?
“He’s in a very strong position, he can talk with clubs in January – it’s a catch 22 for Arsenal and Leicester.
“It might be a case of risk and reward.
“Leicester may turn down any bids if they can’t get their asking price, but the reward is having him around for the next season.”
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