‘More than interested’: Romano claims Arsenal have begun direct talks over ‘outstanding’ PL player

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With the Premier League season now over, Arsenal can now fully focus on bolstering their ranks.

The Gunners enjoyed a decent campaign, finishing fifth in the league and securing Europa League football.

However, there will be plenty of Arsenal fans disappointed their side couldn’t get over the line into fourth place.

Nonetheless, the Gunners have European football to look forward to next term, and must strengthen accordingly.

Arsenal put the building blocks in place last summer, bringing in a host of superb young players.

Now, Mikel Arteta and Edu will want to kick on and properly challenge for the top four and the cups.

Numerous high-calibre players have been linked in recent months, including Leicester’s Youri Tielemans.

According to The Telegraph, Arteta has identified the £30million Belgian as one of his leading targets this summer.

Tielemans has one year left on his Leicester contract and, ideally, wants to play in the Champions League next season.

However, Tielemans and his representatives are reportedly open to the prospect of playing in the Europa League.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has followed up on a tweet he posted on 9 May.

He claims Arsenal are “more than interested” in Tielemans and have “opened direct contacts to explore this possibility”.

However, the Gunners will reportedly be vying with two other clubs for the 25-year-old’s services.

“A joy to work with”

Tielemans has done superbly at Leicester, helping them win the FA Cup last season.

Brendan Rodgers has regularly praised the Belgium international.

“There will obviously be talks with the club in terms of his contract but I continue to work with him and help him improve as a player,” he told the Daily Mail in October last year. “That’s my only focus.

“He is an outstanding player, one of Europe’s top midfielders. He is integral to our game and a joy to work with, a super professional. A young player with that focus is great to see.”