Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans. The youngster is said to be Arsenal’s prime target, with other big clubs also keeping tabs on the situation.
Liverpool were heavily criticized for not making use of the summer transfer window. Their problems in the midfield are quite visible as they started the season in a low fashion. Three of Liverpool’s midfield players will be out of contract by next summer.
It looks like they are trying to rectify their errors before it gets too late. Jurgen Klopp has been trying to find targets that would fit into the club’s system. Liverpool have recognized Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans as one of their midfield targets. The Belgian is heavily linked with a move away from the Foxes this summer.
It has now become very clear that Liverpool are heavily interested in signing Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham next summer. The increasing interest of other clubs in the Englishman also means that Liverpool will have to commit a financial package of more than £100 million.
However, early struggles in league games have made Klopp think of signing more than one midfielder. He believes that improvements are very much required in the midfield, and signing Tielemans could provide some solution.
Liverpool eyeing Belgian midfielder Tielemans
Leicester City signed Youri Tielemans from Monaco in 2019. The midfielder has scored 24 times in 162 appearances for the club. That includes a stunning winning goal against Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup Final.
The 25-year-old has also played 54 international games for Belgium. He is set to be one of the players to fly to Qatar next month for the World Cup. Tielemans has been attracting the eyes of many big clubs in Europe.
The Belgian has previously hinted at leaving Leicester City to join a Champions League playing side. Reports say that Tielemans will wait for the World Cup before starting advanced talks with other clubs about his future.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the player is definitely not signing a contract extension at Leicester City. “There are still no concrete updates for Youri Tielemans,” Romano revealed. “For sure, he’s not extending his contract with Leicester, but at the moment, there are no advanced talks with any club; it will start during, or after, the World Cup.”
Clubs outside England also interested
Leicester City might look to cash in before the midfielder leaves. His contract at the King Power Stadium expires on June 30. Starting January, Tielemans will also be allowed to have a pre-contract agreement with overseas teams.
Juventus and Real Madrid are looking forward to January to start negotiations with the club. Madrid have been looking to find long-term replacements for their aging midfield and are known to lure in clubs and players with their big spending.
Liverpool would be trying to convince the player to join the club on a free transfer. This would allow the club not to spend any extra cash and also pursue their prime target, Jude Bellingham, next summer.
Youri Tielemans was once dubbed as “the new Frank Lampard” but could turn out to be Liverpool’s heir to Steven Gerrard. He is the type of player who can fit into the role of Thiago in the current set-up, whereas Bellingham could be deployed in a box-to-box role.
Arsenal to give competition to Liverpool
It will be Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United who are expected to be Liverpool’s biggest competition in securing the deal for Tielemans. Both the clubs will be eyeing the January cut-price deal for the player.
The Gunners have been long interested in the player. They were believed to be favorites to sign the Belgian in the transfer window but failed to register a bid.
Another report claims that Manchester United may also be interested in the young midfielder. It is believed that Erik ten Hag considers Tielemans to be very valuable and wants him at Old Trafford.
Arsenal have reportedly been working to strike a deal, and Mikel Arteta may be tempted to make a move if the player is available for a lower price. On the other hand, Liverpool will try to capitalize on Arsenal’s reluctance to sign the player.
