Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta does not rule out a move for Manchester United target Youri Tielemans
Manchester United have received a blow in their pursuit of Leicester City star Youri Tielemans as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has not ruled out a move. The Spanish coach has left things open for now and is optimistic about facilitating more signings but has not confirmed or denied the links to the midfielder.
The Gunners are searching the market for a midfield addition which has seen them get linked with Tielemans. The 25-year-old has just 12 months left in his current contract and is being tipped to leave Leicester this summer, having set his eyes on a move to North London ahead of the next season.
Speaking in the pre-match presser after a 5-3 win over Nurnberg in pre-season (h/t Metro), Arteta has refused to directly address the links to Tielemans. But he has revealed that they are open to improving the team in any possible manner and are still active in the transfer window.
“There are more things that we would like to do if we can but the market will dictate what we can do, but so far we are happy with what we have done. We never talk about players that are not ours. As I said before we can improve the team, we are still in the market and are going to try to do it, but we are not going to go to any specific names.”
Man Utd to face more frustrations?
The midfield has been one of the areas where we need reinforcements desperately to deal with the challenges in the upcoming campaign. The lack of balance due to the absence of a defensive midfielder was pretty much highlighted in the previous season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
The situation was made worse with the departures we had in midfield recently. Now, Frenkie de Jong’s rejection has forced us into a precarious situation which calls for the need to quickly search for alternative targets who could fill in in the deep-lying areas.
We are set to sign Christian Eriksen on a free transfer after reaching a verbal agreement with the former Tottenham Hotspur ace. But he is more suited to be utilised as an attacking midfielder, which means that we need someone like Tielemans who can solve our issues at the base of the midfield.
However, Tielemans’ intention to join Arteta’s side is similar to how de Jong’s stance about staying with Barcelona. With Arteta refusing to rule out a move for the Foxes ace, we are put in further uncertainties when it comes to our ability to solve our issues in midfield.
Perhaps, it would be best if we prepare a shortlist comprising of other alternative targets rather than just targeting Tielemans. The Belgian international’s eagerness to join Arsenal in and of itself should be a sign of warning for us to look for options.
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Erik ten Hag is dealt with a really difficult situation considering how he has not been given a healthy atmosphere to facilitate the rebuilding process. Let’s hope that the management can at least help him find additions who can solve the pressing needs in our squad.
