Arsenal may wait until 2023 to sign top midfield target

Arsenal are prepared to wait until the end of the 2022/23 season to sign Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, football.london understands.

The Gunners have been linked heavily with the arrival of a new midfielder, with Tielemans being one of the names that’s surrounded the North Londoners all summer.

Widespread reports suggest that Tielemans, entering the final year of his contract with Leicester, has already agreed terms with Arsenal over a switch.

The initial hold-up appeared to be sale-related, as Mikel Arteta’s men prioritised departures, but the Belgian midfielder may now have to wait even longer for his move to the Emirates Stadium.

According to football.london, Arsenal are unwilling to meet Leicester’s valuation of the deep-lying playmaker, reportedly set at £32 million.

The Gunners see the price tag as too high for a player in the final year of his deal and have, as a result, distanced themselves from signing him this window.

Attention now spins Leicester’s way, with the Foxes at risk of losing the Belgium international on a free transfer at the end of the season, unless their valuation is reduced, or the player agrees fresh terms with the Foxes.

The Midlands outfit also remain the only club yet to make a signing, this window, fuelling pressure on making sales beforehand.

As per the same report, the sentiment in the Arsenal camp that the asking price will be reduced is a strong one, much like Tielemans’ intentions to join a club with greater ambitions.

But the Gunners may have to think twice about playing the waiting game over their midfield target, as other clubs aim to make a move.

In an interview to footballtransfers.com, CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs revealed the interest held in Tielemans by Newcastle United and West Ham United, among other European clubs.

Should one of the midfielder’s suitors make a move before deadline day, Arsenal’s stance may alter.

Saturday afternoon will see the Gunners face off against their summer target as Leicester come to town in the second Premier League game of the season for both clubs.

Arsenal are also thought to be in the market for a wide forward, but nothing looks imminent on that.