Arsenal Target Tielemans and De Jong As Arteta Looks To Improve Squad

Arsenal Target Tielemans and De Jong As Arteta Looks To Improve Squad

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:01 PM
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  • Arsenal looking at the possibility of luring Leicester's Youri Tielemans from King Power Stadium to North London
  • There is also an outside chance that Frenkie De Jong could be approached. This is however highly unlikely given his relationship with new Manchester United boss Erik Ten Haag
  • The Gunners want to replenish their squad which has often looked famished and overstretched this season

Arsenal board have identified at least four key players they will pursue once the transfer window reopens. The Gunners are looking to spend heavily in the transfer market as they return to Europe next year.

Mikel Arteta’s charges are currently in fourth place and in line to make a comeback to the UEFA Champions League. The last time the elite tournament was played at the Emirates Stadium was five years ago.

Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Cedric Soares.
Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates with his teammates during the Premier League match against Manchester United. Photo by Mike Hewitt
Source: Getty Images

Should they fail in their quest, they are guaranteed a place in the Europa League. It is hard to imagine a sharp turnaround of fortunes that could see them miss out on Europe entirely.

The Mirror now reports that Arsenal’s technical director Edu is ready to back Arteta in moving in for high-profile players. The club spent massively last year by bringing in Takehiro Tomiyasu, Aaron Ramsadel, Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares.

They however lost Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona in the January transfer window. There is a common understanding that the Arsenal’s squad is thin and will need massive reinforcements.

Different tabloids have been running berserk with Gabriel Jesus' potential move. Or AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham to provide goals upfront. It has also now emerged that Leicester City’s midfielder Youri Tielemans in on Arsenal’s shortlist.

Despite Leicester’s dismal season, they could still qualify for Europe next season should they win the UEFA Conference League. Tielemans has however shown little interest in extending his current contract with the Foxes.

Frenkie De Jong to Emirates?

Another surprise name in the form of Frenkie De Jong has been floated. The Barcelona midfielder has sparked for the Blaugrana this season but rarely completes a 90-minute game. Arsenal will however be alive to the fact that De Jong, would prefer a move to Manchester United instead.

The Netherlands international will fancy reuniting with his former boss Erik Ten Haag at Old Trafford.

Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona.
Frenkie De Jong is challenged by Unai Lopez of Rayo Vallecano during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou. Photo by Alex Caparros.
Source: Getty Images

Thomas Partey has been key for the Gunners but his fitness concerns are a major issue. Sambi Lokonga meanwhile has delivered inconsistent performances. Arteta’s endgame will be to find a complete midfielder to partner with Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park

The North Londoners will be looking to cement their hold on fourth this weekend when they face West Ham in a London Derby.

Arsenal set to pull out of Osimhen race

Sports Brief has also reported that Arsenal will back out of the race to sign Victor Osimhen. Napoli have slapped a 150 million price tag on the Nigerian striker. Osimhen has been the driving force for Napoli’s title charge this season but that hefty price tag could demoralize his potential suitors.

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Martin Moses photo
Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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