Arsenal report: One key factor could cost Gunners as they open talks with Premier League midfield target

Youri Tielemans
(Image credit: PA)

Arsenal have opened talks with Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans over a potential move, say reports, but the Gunners’ failure to reach the Champions League could cost them.

The Belgium international is about to enter the final year of his deal at the King Power and could be ready to move on.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal are one of three clubs involved in the race to sign Tielemans, and talks have begun over a potential move.

Youri Tielemans

(Image credit: PA)

However, Romano previously reported earlier in May that Champions League football will be crucial in convincing the 25-year-old, something that Mikel Arteta’s side can’t offer.

The Gunners choked at the end of the season in their bid for a top-four finish, losing to north London rivals and direct fourth-place challengers Tottenham, before suffering defeat in Newcastle.

Arteta’s side ultimately finished fifth, two points outside the Champions League places, and will therefore only be able to offer Tielemans Europa League football next season.

Mikel Arteta

(Image credit: Getty)

The Belgian already played in that competition for Leicester this season; the Foxes were knocked out and dropped into the Conference League, where they reached the semi-finals.

Another season in Europe’s second-tier competition might not be a particularly tempting prospect, but Arsenal’s long-term project with a youthful squad might be.

Romano hasn't named the other two clubs in the running for Tielemans, who has been at Leicester since joining from Monaco, initially on loan, in January 2019.

More transfer stories

Mohamed Salah is a major option for Real Madrid to turn to after losing out on Kylian Mbappe, though Liverpool are making moves of their own during this transfer window, eyeing a deal for Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports and listening to offers for one midfielder.

Rumours are rife that Manchester United are looking to slash the wage bill – with PSG lining up one final attempt to sway Paul Pogba to Paris. There could be plenty of incomings, too: Frenkie de Jong remains a key target at £67.5m, while Raphinha of Leeds is on the radar. Jurrien Timber is one name heavily linked, while United are long-term admirers of Lazio man Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.