Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans remains against signing a contract extension with the club this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Belgian has been heavily linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, with the club's failure to qualify for European football next season also playing its part.
Arsenal are said to be the favourites to sign the 25-year-old, but after the Gunners closed in on the signing of Fabio Vieira from Porto on Thursday, their potential interest in Tielemans has been cast into doubt.
Granit Xhaka continues to be linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta still has the likes of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey on the books in the central midfield area, with Vieira another that will occupy that position next season.
As a result, it has been suggested that should Tielemans fail to secure a move away from Leicester this summer, he could end up signing a contract extension with the East-Midlands side in order to avoid moving on a free transfer in June 2023, out of respect for the Foxes.
However, transfer expert Romano quashed those suggestions on Friday, suggesting that the primary aim for Tielemans this summer is still to leave the club, whilst also suggesting that Arsenal remain in for the midfielder.
Tweeting from his official Twitter account, Romano said: "Been told Youri Tielemans is not considering to sign a contract extension with Leicester now - could be an option in September in case he doesn't leave, but not now.
"Arsenal are working on it since long time... but no official bid yet. Other clubs are also interested."
After joining Leicester for around £40m from Monaco in the summer of 2019, Tielemans has gone on to make 158 appearances for the club across all competitions so far.
Matthew Tranter
