Arsenal favourites to sign Youri Tielemans in the summer with Leicester ace available on free transfer

ARSENAL are “favourites” to sign Youri Tielemans on a free transfer this summer when his Leicester City contract expires.

The Belgian, 25, was heavily linked with the Gunners last year as he entered the final year of his deal.

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But a transfer failed to materialise as the Foxes clung on to their playmaker.

Manchester United are keen on Tielemans as the ex-Monaco ace prepares to decide on his future.

However, Team Talk claims that it is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal that are “overwhelming favourites” to get him.

That is despite the fact that the Premier League leaders snapped up midfielder Jorginho from Chelsea after failing to land Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

CBS journalist Ben Jacobs has also reported that Tielemans will still be on Arteta’s shortlist once the window re-opens.

He said: “Come the summer, if Tielemans is available on a free transfer, there’ll be a variety of clubs looking at him.

“Arsenal will still be there for sure and we know that Tielemans very much wanted that move a year ago and was hopeful that something might come off throughout the summer, but Arsenal moved in a different direction.”

Tielemans arrived at Leicester on loan from Monaco in January 2019 and signed permanently six months later in a £32m move.

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He has made over 200 appearances for the club with his crowning moment coming in 2021 when he scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final.

Tielemans helped Leicester ease their relegation fears yesterday as he played a key role in their 4-2 win at Aston Villa.