Arsenal hold initial talks with FA Cup winning hero

Arsenal have made contact with Leicester City star Youri Tielemans over a possible move to the Emirates, according to reports.

The 24-year-old has been an important player for the Foxes since signing from Monaco after an initial successful loan spell in 2019.

As well as racking up over 130 appearances for Leicester, the Belgium international also scored the winning goal against Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup final.

But according to Goal, Leicester could find it difficult to keep Tielemans with Arsenal making moves to potentially bring him to North London by meeting with the midfielder’s representatives.

This is all with a view to the the Belgian’s contract expiring in

Youri Tielemans’ Leicester contract expires in the summer of 2023.

If Leicester are unable to get their key man to commit to a longer term, then they have to decide whether to cash in this summer or risk losing him on a free in 18 months’ time.

It’s yet unknown how much it would cost to get the Foxes to sell but Tielemans, who’s made 23 appearances in all competitions this term, is valued at £49.5m by transfermarkt.

But with Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Albert-Mboyo Sambi Lokonga as Arteta’s only real natural options in a deep-to-central midfield role, it will come as no surprise that Arsenal are thought to be trying to add a player with the pedigree of Tielemans to their ranks.