Arsenal have now ‘done a great deal of work’ to sign ‘special’ Premier League player – journalist

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Arsenal have done a large portion of the work required to sign midfielder Youri Tielemans from Leicester City.

That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who also says that Liverpool are interested in the Belgian international who is currently preparing for the World Cup.

He spoke to Team Talk about the chances of Tielemans moving to either the Emirates Stadium or Anfield, with both club looking for midfield reinforcements.

Liverpool are actually in more dire need of midfielders, looking at an overhaul, in truth, while Arsenal just need one more player of quality to add depth, really.

Arsenal have done a lot of work to sign Tielemans

He said: “The problem (for Liverpool) with Tielemans is two-fold at the moment.

“The main problem for January is that Leicester do not want to sell and that is not a huge shock given their excellent run of form.

“It seems Leicester would be willing to let him leave in the summer on a free instead and when he is available, Arsenal like him a lot and have a done a great deal of work on him.”

Going into the summer transfer window, it seemed like Gabriel Jesus and Tielemans were Arsenal’s top two targets.

Jesus was secured early but then Arsenal went for Fabio Vieira instead, before targeting a new central midfielder on transfer deadline day.

By then, it was Douglas Luiz seen as the most achievable target but he did not move and has since signed a new deal at Aston Villa.

Tielemans on a free transfer would be a coup for any club in the Premier League or beyond but for the time being, he will be focused on international glory.