"A top player" - Jermain Defoe claims Man Utd and Arsenal target can have "the pick of any club he wants"

Former Tottenham and West Ham striker Jermain Defoe believes that Man United and Arsenal target Youri Tielemans can have the pick of clubs to join when his Leicester contract expires this summer.

Tielemans can leave the King Power Stadium on a free transfer on July 1, although he can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with English clubs from the beginning of June.

The Belgian midfielder, who turns 26 in May, has been heavily linked with a potential move to Arsenal this summer.

And a report from the Daily Mirror at the end of October claims that the Gunners are favourites to secure his signature.

Tielemans has given a timely reminder of his attacking talents in recent weeks, finding the net from two stunning long-distance strikes against Wolves and Everton.

Arsenal are searching for competition in midfield for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, with Tielemans potentially seen as more of a creative alternative to both players.

And Defoe believes the Belgium international has a big decision to make.

Jermain Defoe praises Youri Tielemans

Speaking to Premier League Productions (via Leicester Mercury), Defoe was full praise for Tielemans after his superb goal against Everton on Saturday, a game which Leicester won 2-0.

The Foxes are yet to give up hope on keeping him at the club - and the midfielder staying in the West Midlands remains a possibility - but Defoe thinks he could sign for any top club.

He explained: "Technically, he is so good. When you have better players, around you, it makes you better. He's just a top player.

"It's the Scholes one [the goal]. Scholes and Beckham used to do it. It's so difficult. He makes it look so easy, to hit it the first time and keep it down.

"He's in the strongest position ever [who he may sign for]. How he is performing now, then Leicester need to try to get him signed.

"But it will be a pick of any club he wants in the summer. There is no pressure on him, and see what happens in the summer."

Despite the speculation, Leicester fans will hope one of their star assets puts pen to paper on a new deal - but some are braced for losing him either in January or this summer.