Liverpool could make a move for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans even though he’s unlikely to be their ‘top choice’, according to journalist Paul Brown.
The 25-year-old has entered the final 10 months of his £120,000-per-week contract at the King Power Stadium and could depart on a free transfer next summer.
What is the latest news involving Tielemans?
Tielemans appeared destined to move to Arsenal in the previous window until they were supposedly put off by Leicester’s asking price.
Football.London reported in August that the Gunners are prepared to wait until the Belgium international becomes a free agent to make their move as the Foxes were demanding £32 million to sanction his sale.
However, since then, Calciomercato have claimed that Liverpool have entered the race for Tielemans’ signature due to their extensive issues in the engine room.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has denied the Midlands outfit are even ‘thinking’ of offloading the technically gifted star in January, though.
“It’s not something we are thinking of (selling Tielemans) and not anything the club have said we need to do. We don’t want to be offloading our best players, that’s for sure,” said the Northern Irishman.
What has Brown said about Tielemans?
Brown believes that Liverpool are searching for players currently at a ‘slightly higher level’ than Tielemans but has informed GiveMeSport that it ‘wouldn’t surprise’ him if the midfielder arrived at Anfield.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
He said: “I think he would suit them down to the ground, he’d fit in and can play a number of different roles for them in an area where they're weak.
“But I'm not sure he'd be their top choice in there. I think at the moment, they're trying to look for players at a slightly higher level, but it wouldn't surprise me if they were to make a move as well.”
Would Tielemans be a good signing?
Tielemans has established himself as a key player for Leicester in recent years, registering 27 goals and 25 assists in 175 appearances, claiming one FA Cup crown and a Community Shield.
As per FBref, the 5 foot 9 ace has ranked in the 87th percentile for tackles and the 83rd for blocks and attempted passes amongst his positional peers over the last year.
Those figures illustrate Tielemans’ ability at both ends of the pitch but also highlight that he is arguably a level below the elite midfielders currently dominating the game at the highest level.
Still, with Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all out of contract next summer, Tielemans could be a cheap replacement for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.