Report: Arsenal are worried that £40m player just isn't strong enough, it's why they haven't bid

By Ben Evans

Arsenal have yet to make a formal bid for Leicester’s Youri Tielemans amid concerns over his physicality, according to TalkSPORT.

Arsenal have been linked with Tielemans for some time, and the ‘fantastic player’ is keen to join Arsenal, however there remains some hesitancy surrounding Tielemans physical presence in the team.

Arsenal’s scouts are said to be reluctant to bid, as they feel he may lack the strength to dominate the central areas of the pitch.

TalkSPORT’s report also suggests that Manchester United consider Tielemans an alternative to Frenkie de Jong if they’re unable to negotiate a deal with Barcelona.

The Gunners have already spent a significant sum this summer, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus representing significant purchases for Mikel Arteta’s side, as well as young attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira.

However, previous reports have suggested Arsenal will need to move another high profile player in order to be able to afford to bring the Belgian to the club.

Tielemans transfer works for all parties

Youri Tielemans only has a year left on his contract at Leicester, and is ‘not considering signing a contract extension’, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Belgian international is too valuable an asset for Leicester to let him go on a free transfer after signing him for a club record £40m in 2019.

If he doesn’t leave this summer, clubs outside of England would be able to negotiate a contract offer with the 25-year-old in January with Leicester due no compensation.

Arsenal do require some cover for the injury-prone Partey and card-happy Xhaka in midfield, and concerns over his physicality should be less of an issue given he won 50% of his ground duels in the Premier League last season, more than Xhaka (46%) and only marginally below Partey (53%).