Journalist says Tielemans would pick Tottenham move over Arsenal

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Journalist Sami Mokbel has told The Last Word On Spurs Podcast that Youri Tielemans would pick Tottenham over Arsenal if given the chance, with the midfielder privately keen to join a club in the Champions League this coming season.

Tielemans continues to be a Leicester City player despite an exit being on the cards for some time. Reports before the end of the campaign suggested that Arsenal and the 25-year-old himself were confident of a £40 million move going through.

The Gunners remain in the race to sign Tielemans. And reports this week suggested that they are about to make a £30 million bid. But Mikel Arteta may want to get a move on if he hopes to secure the midfielder’s signature.

Mokbel suggested that Spurs have little intention to make any move for Tielemans right now. However, he did claim it may be something to keep an eye on as the deadline looms.

‘Definitely got an interest’

He also added that Arsenal may be set for disappointment if Tottenham do make a move because of Tielemans’ desire to play at the very highest level.

“I can see Tottenham making a move for Tielemans later in the window. But I don’t think it’s one that they’d look to do at the moment. They’ve definitely got an interest in Tielemans,” he told The Last Word On Spurs.

“All the indications I’ve had so far this window is that it’s a no on Tielemans. But I’m not so sure. I think there is a deal to be done for Tielemans. But it will be late in the window.

“If there is a club that Tielemans would ideally join, I think he would pick Tottenham over Arsenal, purely because of the whole Champions League thing. I don’t know if he’s spoken publicly about it, but I’m led to believe privately that that’s what he wants to do. He wants to go to a club where he can play Champions League football. And obviously, Tottenham would be able to offer him that.”

Tielemans would pick Tottenham over Arsenal

Arsenal certainly need Tielemans a lot more than Spurs right now. The Gunners’ lack of depth in midfield was exposed late last season. And it really hurt their chances of holding onto fourth spot. He is also an ‘incredible‘ player.

Tottenham have since strengthened in the middle of the park. And there are likely to have been a lot of Arsenal fans who were left unhappy with Spurs signing Yves Bissouma.

Antonio Conte poaching Tielemans also therefore, would be extremely difficult for Arsenal supporters to stomach.

Worryingly for the Gunners, Mokbel seemingly does not think that that possibility is out of the question.