‘I understand’ - Manager’s honest admission as Arsenal receive £25m transfer boost

Arsenal could step up their interest in Youri Tielemans after Premier League rivals Leicester City reportedly reduced their asking price for the Belgian midfielder.

Tielemans has been a major success since he joined the Foxes from French club Monaco on an initial six-month loan deal during the January 2019 transfer window.

The Belgian international scored three goals and provided four assists during 13 Premier League appearances and his form led to a permanent deal worth around £40million at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old has adapted to life in the Premier League and has attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United as he approaches the final 12 months of his current deal at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes are believed to have demanded a fee of around £60million when they received enquiries for the midfielder last year - but that fee could be reduced to around £35million this summer as Tielemans enters the final 12 months of his contract.

Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad have reported Tielemans is keen to explore options elsewhere and wants to join a ‘top club with title ambitions’.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers discussed the situation regarding Tielemans last month and admitted he would have to try and match the ambition shown by his star midfielder.

He said: “He is at an age and at a stage in his contract where he has to ensure he looks at every option. I would love it to be here at Leicester, that is natural, but I understand it’s a very short career.

“For players it’s about ambition, the challenge and sometimes it’s about a different environment. We have seen it before many times.

“Teams have won the Champions League and the player will move on. That’s the nature of it. For me, I can only worry about keeping improving him as a player, keeping him focused and letting everything else be taken care of.

“We have a close relationship, it’s really strong. I made a commitment to him when I first came in that we would improve him as a player and he believes in the environment.

“Once the player is committed, focused and professional it’s never a worry for me.

“With Youri you can see his joy of being here, he loves being here and you have to respect these guys’ careers are short.”