Arsenal have ‘agreed personal terms’ with Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.
The 25-year-old has been heavily tipped to make the switch to north London in recent weeks, yet a formal offer has failed to materialise while the Gunners focus on other targets.
What is the latest news involving Tielemans?
Back in May, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed that Tielemans was on Arsenal’s shortlist after he turned down the offer of a new contract from Leicester.
Romano stated that the Gunners had been discussing the Belgium international, who only has 12 months remaining on his current deal, since January.
However, a recent report from GOAL then claimed that Arsenal were ‘set to take a step back’ in their pursuit of Tielemans while they edge closer to tying up deals for other players.
The transfer of striker Gabriel Jesus has now been wrapped up, while Mikel Arteta’s charges also remain in the hunt for Leeds United winger Raphinha.
Whether the Arsenal hierarchy revisit the Tielemans deal after their pursuit of the Brazilian duo remains to be seen, though, and they also risk another potential suitor picking him up in the meantime.
What has Jacobs said about Tielemans?
Jacobs has informed GiveMeSport that Arsenal have come to an agreement with Tielemans and could end up paying Leicester £32 million for his services but are yet to place a formal offer.
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He told GMS: “Arsenal have put in a heck of a lot of work into Tielemans. They've agreed personal terms, and their talks with Tielemans date back for the best part of a year.
“But for whatever reason, Arsenal have decided not to swoop just yet and actually table a bid with Leicester City. And if they do so, and agree a fee at the lowest end £25 million, at the highest end £32 million, they will get Youri Tielemans.”
Would Tielemans be a good signing?
Tielemans has gone from strength to strength since initially joining Leicester on loan from AS Monaco back in January 2019, registering 24 goals and 24 assists in 158 appearances.
The technically gifted ace scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Chelsea to claim the FA Cup back in 2020/21 before helping his side win the Community Shield just a few months later.
As per FBref, Tielemans has also ranked in the 94th percentile for total shots, 89th for expected assists, 88th for progressive passes, and 85th for shot-creating actions amongst his positional peers over the last year.
He could add some more guile and control to Arsenal’s engine room if he does finally make the switch, providing a balance that has arguably been missing in recent years.