An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Youri Tielemans ahead of the January transfer window…
What’s the talk?
According to Jeunes Footeux, the Magpies are eyeing up a fresh swoop to sign the Belgian international after opting against a move in the summer.
The report claims that manager Eddie Howe wants to bring the talent to St. James’ Park and that the club are plotting a £17m offer to tempt Leicester City into cashing in on him.
He is out of contract at the end of the 2022/23 campaign and it is stated that the Foxes could be forced to sell in January to avoid losing him for nothing later in the year.
Joe Willock upgrade
Howe could now land an upgrade on current Magpies central midfielder Joe Willock by securing a deal to sign Tielemans in the January window.
The ex-Arsenal prospect joined the club from the Gunners on a permanent basis in the summer of 2021 and endured a difficult first full season on Tyneside. In the 2021/22 campaign, he averaged an unimpressive SofaScore rating of 6.71 – worse than 16 other players in the squad – in the Premier League as he played 29 matches under Steve Bruce and Howe.
He scored two goals and failed to provide a single assist for his teammates, whilst creating 0.6 chances per match, as the Englishman struggled to make a significant impact at the top end of the pitch.
Willock made 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game in the top-flight and lost 52% of his overall duels, which suggests that he was busy but not particularly dominant defensively.
Tielemans, meanwhile, caught the eye as an attack-minded midfielder. He averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.06 as he scored six goals and provided four assists from the middle of the park, whilst producing 1.2 key passes per outing.
Along with that, he also made 3.0 tackles and interceptions per game and won 51% of his battles. This suggests that he offers a similar level of defending, in terms of volume and quality, whilst providing far more in the attacking third of the pitch.
The Belgian magician, who talent scout Jacek Kulig previously dubbed an “outrageous” talent, has also had a strong start to the current season. He has averaged a score of 7.32 in the division so far, compared to Willock’s 6.82, and created four ‘big chances’ in six appearances, which illustrates the level of playmaking he can offer the side.
Therefore, he could be a huge upgrade on Willock as he has the quality to make the difference in attack and could chip in with goals and assists to win matches for Howe’s side in the second half of the campaign.
