Aston Villa would struggle to convince Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans to join them, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

There has not really been any talk about the Villans being interested in the Belgian, but he could be available in January or next summer because of his contract situation.

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What is the latest news involving Tielemans?

Despite Tielemans refusing to commit to Leicester, Brendan Rodgers will continue to work with the 25-year-old while he remains at the club.

On Tielemans, who has less than a year remaining on his existing deal, Rodgers recently said (via BBC Sport): "He is a fantastic professional. Even though he is in the situation with his contract, he has never wavered in terms of what he provides the team.

"He has the know-how. I will continue to work with him while he’s here. We’ll see in the coming months."

Tielemans joined Leicester from AS Monaco in a permanent deal back in 2019, with the fee the Foxes paid believed to be £40m.

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What has Jones said about Tielemans and Villa?

If Villa did decide to register an interest in Tielemans, Jones thinks they would have a difficult time trying to sign him because he would view a move to Villa Park as a "sideways step".

When asked if the Leicester star is a midfielder the Villans could look at, the journalist told GIVEMESPORT: "I just don't think Tielemans would be open to Aston Villa. I mean, he would probably see it as a sideways step rather than a forward step.

"The big driving point from leaving Leicester is to play Champions League football and there's just no sign of that happening at Aston Villa any time soon."

Should Villa make a move for Tielemans?

If Unai Emery wants to sign a new midfielder, then why not? Yes, it would be a bit ambitious, but that has not stopped Villa before, with the Midlands club recently signing Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.

In his position, Tielemans is probably one of the best players in the Premier League. Technically, he is extremely gifted, with the Belgium international able to score from outside of the box - his strike against Everton just one of many examples.

Given his quality, it would be a bit of a surprise if a club not playing in the Champions League were able to convince Tielemans to leave Leicester for them, but Villa have nothing to lose by throwing their hat into the ring.

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