Arsenal identify Youri Tielemans transfer alternative amid £40m claim

Arsenal are considering moving on from their interest in Leicester City star Youri Tielemans - and have already identified a possible alternative to the Belgian international.

The Gunners have a long-standing interest in Tielemans and have remained keen on adding the Foxes midfielder to their impressive list of summer signings.

Hopes had been raised over a possible compromise as Tielemans has entered the final 12 months of his current contract at the King Power Stadium.

But he remained part of Brendan Rodgers squad and played the entire 90 minutes of Leicester’s 2-2 draw against Brentford on Sunday afternoon.

The Mirror have reported Mikel Arteta is now considering alternative options to strengthen their midfield and have set their sights on Len star Seko Fofana.

The 27-year-old began his career with Paris FC and Lorient before being persuaded to join Manchester City’s academy in 2013.

Fofana enhanced his reputation with successful loan spells at Fulham and Bastia but failed to make a senior appearance at the Etihad Stadium.

He went on to live up to the hype that surrounding his progress in England by shining in Serie A after he left City to join Udinese in a £2.5million deal in June 2016.

After scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists in 119 appearances for the Italian club, Fofana returned to France in the summer of 2020 when he agreed a move to Lens.

The midfielder has gone on to become a key player with Les Sang et Or and has captained them to successive top seven finishes over the last two seasons.

His form with Lens has attracted attention from several clubs around Europe and Newcastle United were heavily linked with a move for Fofana during the January transfer window.

Speaking recently about a possible move away from Lens, Fofana told L’Equipe: “It’s a situation where lots of people are asking questions, where I’m being linked all over the place.

“I’m trying not to pay attention to that. The reality is that I’m at Lens right now and I’m very happy to be here. Sometimes, being set on leaving, I wouldn’t say that it scares me but the last two years have gone by quickly.

“I want to keep enjoying myself and I won’t take any decision lightly.”

Fofana is believed to be valued at around £40million by his club and is also said to be attracting interest from Serie A champions AC Milan.