Leicester City are no closer to signing a new contract with Youri Tielemans, with Brendan Rodgers plan to sit down with the midfielder next week to discuss his future as multiple Premier League clubs show interest in a summer deal.
Belgium international Tielemans has emerged as one of Leicester’s key players since his £32 million move from Monaco in 2019, playing over 150 appearances for the Foxes and scoring the winner in their FA Cup last win Chelsea last year.
Leicester want Tielemans to sign a new contract, but the 25-year-old is reluctant to commit his future to the club as his current contract expires next summer.
That means Leicester risk losing Tielemans for free if they don’t cash in on him this summer, with Arsenal looking to take the lead in the race for his signature.
Recent reports say Manchester United are also in the running for Tielemans while they want to further strengthen Erik ten Hag’s team, after the arrival of Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen.
Ten Hag has made Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong his priority this summer but United could turn to Tielemans if they continue to struggle to convince the Dutch star to make the move from Nou Camp.
Asked for an update on Tielemans’ contract negotiations at Leicester City, Rodgers said: “There is no update at all.
“He’s a great guy to work with. He just joined the club [for pre-season] and he’s about the same. He is very involved in training.
“He’s happy at work and happy at the club. But of course, with a one-year contract, he may feel like he has to take care of everything for him and his family. But I’m sure he’s committed while he’s here.
“Next week I will have a good chat with Youri to hear personally what he thinks. But it won’t change, whether he leaves or stays for another five years, he remains super committed.”
Asked if Leicester would accept Tielemans to stay on for the last 12 months of his contract before leaving on a free transfer, Rodgers added: “I’m not sure.
“For that to happen, it means there hasn’t been an acceptable offer or there hasn’t been one. That’s the reality.
“From Youri’s perspective, he will continue to train and work. He is very focused on getting himself fit and as always with the team, he is a great guy to have on the squad.
Until that changes, I will do everything I can to keep developing him and the team. There is a possibility, but we have to wait and see.’
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