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Sources: Arsenal well placed to agree early Youri Tielemans deal after £35,000-a-week reveal
Arsenal are well placed to seal a deal for Youri Tielemans ahead of his Leicester City contract expiry in June, sources have told Football Insider.
It is believed that Newcastle and Barcelona are also plotting to sign the 25-year-old, who is now preparing to walk away from the Foxes for free.
But Arsenal are the current frontrunners for a player they came close to signing last summer.
Sources with knowledge of Tielemans’ situation have revealed that it is “unlikely” he will sign renewed terms at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester haven’t given up hope of the Belgium international extending his stay, but all signs now point towards a summer exit.
It is understood that the former Monaco star wants to cash in on his status as a free agent when the summer window comes.
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According to FBRef, Tielemans is currently paid £35,000-a-week as he hasn’t extended his contract since joining Leicester in 2019.
He has racked up over 50 combined goals and assists for Leicester, making 186 appearances across all competitions as a regular starter.
The 58-time Belgium international has won the FA Cup and Community Shield during his time in England.
Leicester have another worrying contract situation to deal with – with sources telling Football Insider on Tuesday (20 February) that James Maddison is wanted by Newcastle, Tottenham and Man City with less than 18 months left on his deal.
Arsenal boast options like Thomas Partey, Jorghino, Granit Xhaka, and Mohamed Elneny in midfield but are looking for further reinforcements as they seek to become a force in European football.
Sources have told this site (20 February) that they are also in contact with Declan Rice’s representatives and have stolen a march on their transfer rivals ahead of the summer window.
The Gunners lead the Premier League by two points with a game in hand on second-place Man City.
In other news, ex-referee demands more punishments to follow Lee Mason sacking after controversial Arsenal twist.