Arsenal have made signing midfielder from Leicester City a priority this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners are in the market to sign a new central midfielder to bolster Mikel Arteta’s options in the middle of the park after missing out on a top-four finish last season.
He has a year left to run on his current deal at Leicester to cast doubt on his future at the King Power Stadium beyond the summer of 2023.
The Belgian midfielder has reportedly rejected an offer of a contract extension from the Foxes to fuel speculation that a big-money move could be on the cards in the 2022 summer transfer window.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have both been connected with Tielemans in recent weeks, owing to his steady performances in the English Premier League.
Despite Tielemans’ six goals and four assists in the Premier League last season, the Foxes were unable to mount a top-four threat despite his efforts.
Despite the lack of solid advances, Arsenal are aiming to recruit Tielemans in the forthcoming transfer window, according to Italian transfer specialist and reporter Romano.
“I’m told [that] nothing is imminent for Tielemans,” Romano told Here We Go podcast.
“Arsenal are still working on Tielemans as a priority. In this case, it’s an open race. Tielemans will be on the move. He’s not extending his contract with Leicester.
“Arsenal want him. They’re in the process and they’re exploring possibilities.”
Tielemans has blossomed into one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers at Leicester.
The Belgium international has scored 24 times in 158 games in all competitions over the past four seasons at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester paid £28m to sign Tielemans, who has 49 caps for Belgium to his name, from AS Monaco in 2019.