Arsenal readying £30m bid for second choice midfield target

Arsenal are looking to continue their summer spending as they step up their pursuit of Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, with a £30m bid set to be launched imminently.

A move for the Belgian midfielder, who has just 12 months left on his contract at the King Power Stadium, has been mooted for much of the transfer window, but according to the Sun, Tielemans was only ever Mikel Arteta’s second choice option to bolster his midfield ranks.

However, the Gunners have pivoted to the 25-year-old after being told that it would take up to £75m to prise first choice target Ruben Neves away from Molineux this summer according to the report.

As a result, they are looking to wrap up a deal for Tielemans instead, and will look to agree a deal with Leicester City in the coming days, with the player himself thought to be fully sold on the idea of playing for Arsenal next season.

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal ready to launch £30m Youri Tielemans transfer offer https://t.co/GEdUVm0nJs

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) July 6, 2022

His arrival will follow those of Marquinhos, Matt Turner, Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus, and will take Arsenal’s spending this summer north of £100m should the deal go through.

It is unlikely to conclude their business either.

What is still to come?

Though they have seemingly lost out on Leeds United winger Raphinha, the Gunners are still keen to bring in a winger to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.

Meanwhile, they are locked in a war with Manchester United over the services of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, whose arrival could allow Nuno Tavares to leave on loan.

They are also keen to recruit another left-sided centre-back, though this is thought to be lower on their list of priorities.

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