Arsenal told to beat rivals to £30m Youri Tielemans deal after journalist’s bid update – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted the Arsenal fans would be “overjoyed” if their club can sign Youri Tielemans for a bargain £30million fee.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 25-year-old would be “one of the best midfielders they have had for a long time” at the Emirates Stadium.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano in his CaughtOffside column (7 July), Tielemans “expects” to complete an Arsenal move this summer – but no official bid has yet been submitted to Leicester.
Romano warned the Gunners that they will need to “move quickly” to sign the Belgium international as other teams ramp up their interest.
The Sun (6 July) claim Arsenal are ready to make a £30million bid for Tielemans – who has less than 12 months to run on his contract at Leicester.
Whelan suggested signing the midfielder would leave space in the budget for Mikel Arteta to land other targets.
“I think he’s well worth the money,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“£30m for a player like Tielemans, when you know he can do it in the Premier League – it’s nothing.
“I think he would fit straight into the Arsenal style of play, and the fans would be overjoyed if they could get him in.
“He’s a very talented midfield player, and if you can get him for that sort of price then they’d still have the budget to go out and get a winger as well.
“I believe he would be one of the best midfielders they have had for a long time. I could see him at the club, for sure.”
Arsenal have completed deals for Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos so far this summer.
The Gunners beat German side Nurnberg 5-3 in pre-season action on Friday (8 July).
In other news, Arsenal idol reacts as Ben White lambasted by Gabby Agbonlahor.