Arsenal‘s move for Youri Tielemans could happen in the near future, according to Sky Sports pundit Michael Dawson…
What’s the word?
The Gunners’ former foe was speaking on Sky Sports News hours before their Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers [13:35pm, November 12th] Claim:
“He is coming to the end of his contract, so that would be a no-brainer, I think. Will they wait until the summer or? That will be a question,” before then adding: “Tielemans – I think it will only be a matter of time.”
Should Arsenal sign Tielemans for January?
YES!
NO!
A report from Voetbal Primeur This week, it was suggested that the Leicester City Dynamo had already reached an agreement to join the north London giants at his retirement £35k-per-week Contract due to expire at season’s end
90min The 25-year-old has been mentioned as a potential target in January. However, it remains to be seen how much. £25m In the summer, the Foxes star is currently valued at £36m CIES Football Observatory.
Perfect reinforcement in January
Arsenal is at the top of the standings heading into the break Qatar World Cup this month, meaning they will be holding the premature crown at Christmas – something that the club have not experienced in a very long time.
And whilst Mikel Arteta’s team have been wholly impressive this campaign, the truth of the matter is, they are only a smatter of injuries away from it all crumbling.
The Spaniard is extremely lacking in strength and depth. Eddie Nketiah would be responsible if Gabriel Jesus were to go. He has shown very little since signing the contract extension.
It’s a similar situation in the engine room and fears will have shot up after seeing Granit Xhaka depart the pitch prematurely on Saturday night. Arteta later explained that this was due to Arteta being a sickness bugNevertheless, the troubling situation of any unavailability lingers.
Just like Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga has hardly been inspiring in what little game time he’s been offered, which is exactly why the club – namely technical director Edu Gaspar – must seal a move for Tielemans sooner rather than later.
His all-roundedness makes for the ideal signing in January as he can contribute at either end of the pitch – very much like the aforementioned Swiss star and his midfield partner, Thomas Partey.
Once described as a “phenomenon” by former Anderlecht man Par Zetterberg, Tielemans has perhaps been the only other shining light to James Maddison at the King Power Stadium this term, having provided four goal contributions in 15 outings and as many as 44 shot-creating actions, via FBref.
The 25-year-old, who is heading to this month’s major tournament with Belgium, also ranks inside the top 12% of his positional peers across Europe for tackles (2.8) and the top 17% for blocks (1.58) per 90, thus showing that defensive side to his game, too.
These numbers are actually higher than the inform Xhaka – who has managed only one more SCA – and Partey – who isn’t as known for his attacking third efforts.
As such, it would be wise for Edu and Arteta to make Tielemans a priority in January as he’d add vital depth in what could be a stunning title run-in heading into the back end of the 2022/23 campaign and to also aid their quest for silverware in Europe.
AND in other news Arteta could land Yaya Toure 2.0 as Arsenal eye swoop for “relentless” £35m “phenom”…