‘Suddenly’: Arsenal in stronger position than Newcastle to sign £35m player if they want him, personal terms agreed already – journalist
Journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport that Arsenal are in a stronger position than Newcastle United to sign Youri Tielemans, but only if they actually want him.
Mikel Arteta is seemingly closing in on his top target for the January window, with reports suggesting that the Gunners are nearing an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Eddie Howe will be aiming to bolster his Newcastle squad this month too, with the club supposedly looking at reinforcements in midfield and attack.
Both Arsenal and Newcastle have been heavily linked with a move for Tielemans over the past few months. The 25-year-old looks set to leave the King Power Stadium by the end of the season with his contract set to expire in June.
But it seems that Arsenal have the edge over Newcastle in the race to sign the Belgian midfielder at the moment due to their brilliant start to the season.
Arsenal in stronger position than Newcastle for Tielemans
Jones provided GiveMeSport with an update on Tielemans’ future and says Newcastle will have to compete with the Gunners if they want to sign the midfielder this month.
“He might be somebody they pursue, but if they go for Tielemans, they’re suddenly going to have to compete with Arsenal, who are top of the league and probably in a stronger position to actually sign him if they want to. So there’s a lot to weigh out there,” the journalist said.
“But ultimately, I think central midfield and the forward line are both situations that Newcastle are still looking to address.”
Tielemans has been a standout performer for the Foxes ever since he completed a £35 million switch to the Midlands.
It’s no surprise that clubs are circling as he nears the end of his current deal with Leicester. Arsenal are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements as they lack real quality depth in the position.
Newcastle have a similar problem and it seems that both clubs are set to battle it out for the Belgian’s signature.
Tielemans would be an excellent addition to both sides and he seems ready to take that next step in his career. But it remains unclear whether Leicester will allow him to leave this month, especially as the club only sit two points above the relegation zone.
