Arsenal 'keen to sign Youri Tielemans on free transfer in summer'

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans on a free transfer next summer.

The 25-year-old has spent the last four years at the King Power Stadium, contributing with 28 goals and 25 assists in 185 appearances, including the winning goal in the FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea in 2020-21.

However, Tielemans faces an uncertain future with the Foxes as his current contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

The Belgium international, who is now able to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs, has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal over the past 12 months.

The Gunners were understood to have considered tabling an offer for Tielemans in the January transfer window, after Mikel Arteta's side failed in their pursuit of top target Moises Caicedo.

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However, Arsenal eventually opted to spend around £12m to recruit Jorginho from London rivals Chelsea, with the Italian penning an 18-month contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Nevertheless, GiveMeSport journalist Dean Jones claims that it is "not impossible" for Arsenal to reignite their interest in Tielemans ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Jones also suggests that the midfielder now has a "big window of opportunity" with regards to where he could play his football next season.

"It's not impossible that Arsenal now make their move for him," Jones told GiveMeSport. "Arsenal were always against paying a fee for him, knowing that he could be available for free if they could get this far."

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Tielemans, who has also been linked with Manchester United, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Barcelona, remains a key part of Brendan Rodgers's plans, and the Leicester boss is hopeful that he midfielder will soon commit his future to the club by signing a contract extension.

Speaking to reporters last month, Rodgers said: "It has gone on for a while, but it's all based around the player, ultimately. His commitment is no less now to what it was when I first came in - if not even more. He's loved his time here and is still loving his time here.

"I respect that he's in his last year, of course I want to tie him down. He's been a brilliant player for this club and is still at a great age. It's something that has to be right for all parties.

"Until I'm told he's not here, we work very well together. He's a coach's dream, with his professionalism and view of the game. Nothing changes for me in that aspect, we just continue to hopefully find a resolution to it and have him sign here. I think it's one where we want to do everything we can to convince him to stay."

Tielemans has scored four goals in 27 appearances for Leicester across all competitions for so far this season, but the former Monaco man was not involved in the 4-1 Premier League win at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday due to a minor calf injury.