Arsenal are expected to beat Manchester United to the signing of Youri Tielemans as the Leicester City star is 'fully sold' on a move to the Emirates Stadium, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Gunners have been busy in the early stages of the summer transfer window, with boss Mikel Arteta not being afraid to splash the cash, and Tielemans is known to be among his targets.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

What's the latest news involving Tielemans?

Arsenal could reportedly head to the negotiating table for Tielemans later in the transfer window as he remains on Arteta's radar.

According to The Athletic, the Gunners have yet to test Leicester's resolve with an official bid despite pinpointing the central midfielder as a potential acquisition.

The report suggests Arsenal's interest in the 52-cap Belgium international has cooled off as they have prioritised making a move for other targets.

However, the north Londoners' delay has resulted in Manchester United being put on red alert, with the Red Devils' new boss Erik ten Hag being a fan.

Tielemans was expected to move to the Emirates Stadium after his representatives held extensive talks with Arsenal in January, but their failure to qualify for the Champions League is understood to have complicated matters.

What has Ben Jacobs said about Tielemans?

Jacobs believes Tielemans is keen to join Arsenal and will turn down a move to Manchester United if he knows the Gunners' interest remains.

The journalist feels a Red Devils bid could kick Arteta's charges into action and accelerate their transfer plans.

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Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: "He's fully sold on a move to Arsenal, so if Manchester United were to bid for Tielemans, they will only get him if Arsenal decide that's fine, go ahead and take the player. It's not really a head-to-head.

"I think that Manchester United's potential interest in Tielemans, which is still to be stood up, could just catalyse Arsenal to make another bid or may have Arsenal say 'I'm sorry, but we're not interested. Go ahead and join Manchester United if you want'.

"But I don't think that Manchester United can beat Arsenal to Tielemans. It's not a case of decide between the two."

How much would Tielemans cost?

Tielemans is valued at £49.5million by Transfermarkt, but it is understood that his suitors could strike a deal for significantly less than that figure.

That is because the 25-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his £120,000-per-week contract at Leicester and, having failed to come to an agreement over fresh terms, the Foxes are running out of time to cash-in.

As a result, Tielemans went into the summer transfer window with a £25million price tag put in place by the King Power Stadium hierarchy.