Transfer Talk: Tielemans close to agreeing Gunners switch

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a £40million deal for Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans.

The Belgian is expected to depart the King Power Stadium this summer after turning down several offers to extend his stay in the East Midlands.

The Gunners have been earmarked as a leading candidate for the 25-year-old as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his options in midfield.

And the Sun say there is a growing confidence in both the player’s and the club’s camps that the Emirates will be the 49-cap international’s next destination.

Tielemans has been a mainstay in the Foxes midfield since joining in 2019, amassing 154 appearances and scoring 24 goals.

Brendan Rodgers had been keen to tie his No8 down to a new deal but is now resigned to losing him this summer, to avoid him leaving for free when his contract expires in 2023.

But the report indicates that if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League this term, then LaLiga champions Real Madrid are ready to hijack the deal.

The North Londoners currently occupy fourth spot, one point clear of Tottenham who have played one game more, with four fixtures still to play.

But with the rivals set to face each other on Thursday and Spurs boasting a superior goal difference, sealing a place in Europe’s elite competition is far from guaranteed.

The player has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football, so could well be tempted by an offer from this year’s finalists Real.

In other news

Spurs are set to sign West Brom and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone after Manchester United opted not to move for their former academy player, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The Sun say West Ham are the new leaders in the race to sign Blackburn and Chile forward Ben Brereton Diaz.

Departing United midfielder Nemanja Matic could join Juventus this summer, as reported by the Daily Star.