Newcastle United are interested in signing Youri Tielemans this month, and a new report claims they may have a plan to bid for the Leicester City captain.
The 25-year-old is one of the midfielders that Dan Ashworth and Eddie Howe are eyeing, as they look to bring someone in following Jonjo Shelvey’s latest injury.
Tielemans is one of the frontrunners, with the Telegraph recently claiming that he is on the club’s shortlist alongside Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
The Belgium international is much more attainable due to his contract situation, with his current Leicester deal set to expire in the summer.
That means they could lose him for nothing at the end of the season, or move him on now and at least recoup some of the £32million they spent on him in 2019.
It is a difficult situation for the Foxes, and one that Newcastle are looking to take advantage of.
Newcastle ‘might consider’ low offer for Tielemans
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs has been speaking to Give Me Sport, and has provided an update on Newcastle’s stance over Tielemans, who has also been linked with Arsenal over the past six months.
“In January, Tielemans will not suddenly be worth the £30million that perhaps Leicester wanted for him, because that contract has ticked down a little bit further,” Jacobs said.
“So, this is where Newcastle will be one to watch for Arsenal in particular because there’s a growing feeling that Newcastle might consider a low offer for Tielemans in January to strengthen their midfield, to see how Leicester react.
“Leicester may say they don’t want to get rid mid-season or Leicester may say they’re now resigned to losing Tielemans for free. But there’s always that temptation if a reasonable but still much lower than the £30million or so from last summer is tabled.”
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It was rumoured in the summer that Leicester wanted £25million for Tielemans. That was heading into the final day of the window when the Magpies still wanted a midfielder.
A move was not forthcoming, but Newcastle’s need for a midfielder has only intensified. However, finances will continue to be an issue.
The Toon owners are keen to keep the club on the right side of FFP, having already spent a lot of money since they bought Newcastle from Mike Ashley in October 2021.
Big wages and lofty transfer fees have seen Newcastle miss out on some key targets, which is why they have often opted to target players who have expiring contracts.
Tielemans fits that bill, as he is on course to become a free agent in the coming months. That could encourage Leicester to sell now, and Brendan Rodgers recently suggested that his side should move the player on if he has no desire to extend his deal.
That could open the door for Newcastle, who will want to get Tielemans for as little money as possible – such is the case with every transfer deal.
Jacobs has suggested a low offer could be on the horizon, and that will be a test to see where Leicester really stand. It will probably be too low, but the hope will be that it brings the Foxes to the negotiating table.
However, bid too low and it could put Leicester off completely. With one week down in the January transfer window, the Youri Tielemans saga continues to be one to watch.
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