“NOT MUDRYK”: Arsenal may bring forward plans to sign £35m star in January, personal terms already agreed – Done deal underway
Arsenal could reportedly accelerate their efforts to sign Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans this January, as per the transfer insider Dean Jones.
The winter transfer window is now officially open. It is highly likely that the Gunners will make some new signings this month to strengthen the squad in order to boost their title charge this term. Midfield is one of the areas where Mikel Arteta is seemingly looking to reinforce, with Tielemans being a long-term target.
The 25-year-old – who is valued at around £35m by Transfermarkt – has entered the final six months of his current contract with the Foxes and it is highly unlikely that he will sign an extension.
A previous report stated that Arsenal have already agreed on personal terms with the Belgian and Arteta’s side are ready to wait until next summer before signing the midfielder for free.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph reported last week that Arsenal are set to face competition in pursuit of Tielemens as Newcastle United are now plotting a January swoop for him.
Youri Tielemans to Arsenal
Now, speaking to GiveMeSport, Dean Jones has claimed that if Newcastle formalise their interest in signing the Leicester ace this month then that could ‘spark Arsenal into action’.
The journalist further says that the north London club want to wait until next summer before signing Tielemans as a free agent. However, if the Magpies were to table an official bid to sign the highly talented midfielder this January then that could force Arteta’s side to make a move for the Belgian this month.
Jones said:
“Newcastle’s interest in Tielemans could spark Arsenal into action because if Newcastle were to lodge a bid, that might mean Arsenal have to go and spend money on him. They’d prefer not to do that, they’d prefer to wait and get him on a free. But I think if Newcastle did make a bid, then that would make things pretty interesting.”
It currently appears nothing can faze Arsenal in their quest of winning the title this term. They have continued to suffer injury issues since the start of this season, however, that hasn’t been able to restrict Arteta’s side from placing themselves at the top of the league in the new year. They have accumulated 43 points from 16 games so far this season, seven points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
The 13 times English champions have continued to progress seamlessly this season with a very thin squad size. Nevertheless, signing a new midfielder will give Arteta the chance to rotate his midfield options when the fixture will become more congested. Tielemans would be a shrewd addition and his acquisition would certainly bolster engine room.
