Michael Bridge has dropped an update on reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Youri Tielemans.
What’s the talk?
In a recent interview on Chris Cowlin’s YouTube channel, the Sky Sports reporter revealed that, despite Arsenal having been heavily linked with a £40m move for the Leicester City midfielder this summer, he would not be surprised to see Spurs – who have also been linked with the Belgium international – make a late move for the 25-year-old.
Speaking about Tottenham’s interest in Tielemans, Bridge said: “Don’t be surprised if they might have another look at him maybe down the line. I’m not saying that there have been any bids, but I know there have always been people at the club that have admired him, even back in the [Mauricio Pochettino] era. Is there something they could do there? I don’t know.
“He’s an attacking-minded midfielder that Tottenham are keen to look at. I don’t think that’d be anywhere near, but that’s someone that I have heard not to completely rule out in future. I heard that a few weeks ago, and I said, ‘I thought he was going to Arsenal?’, and they went, ‘No, no, not at the moment’.”
Huge coup
Arsenal previously appeared to be the clear favourites in the race to sign Tielemans this summer, so should Fabio Paratici go on to seal a late deal for the midfielder ahead of Mikel Arteta’s side, it would undoubtedly represent something of a huge coup for Spurs.
Also, considering just how impressive the 25-year-old was for Brendan Rodgers’ side last season, it is not difficult to understand why the Italian sporting director would be keen on a move to bring the Belgian to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the club’s 2022/23 campaign.
Indeed, over his 31 Premier League appearances last term, the £60m-rated talent was in remarkable form, scoring six goals, registering four assists and creating six big chances for his team-mates, along with taking 1.8 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.
The £120k-per-week midfielder also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making 2.3 tackles and 0.7 interceptions, playing 44.6 passes and 2.3 long balls, and winning five duels (at a success rate of 51%) per match.
These returns saw the former AS Monaco starlet average an exceptional SofaScore match rating of 7.08, ranking him as the Foxes’ third-best outfielder in the league behind only James Maddison and Jamie Vardy.
As such, while it is true that Antonio Conte already has Oliver Skipp, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle of the park – as well as the likes of Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, all of whom are reported to be free to leave the club this summer – it is nevertheless clear to see that Tielemans would make an excellent addition to the Spurs squad.
With Tottenham’s north London rivals possessing a well-known interest in the 25-year-old, Paratici has extra incentive to get a deal over the line for the Leicester star ahead of 2022/23.
AND in other news: Contact made as Paratici in Spurs talks for “£30m player”, he’s “the next Declan Rice”
