Reported West Ham transfer target Youri Tielemans is said to be available for just £25m this summer with Brendan Rodgers focusing on a “healthy shake-up” at the King Power Stadium.
What’s the latest?
The Telegraph sent the pulse of many club hierarchies racing yesterday with the news that Leicester City’s FA Cup winner can be bought for a cut-price this off-season.
The Belgian is said to be knocking back Leicester’s attempts to tie him down to a new contract and the club may look to offload him in the upcoming window.
The 2015/16 Premier League title winners spent a club-record £40m on a 22-year-old from Monaco after impressing on a six-month initial loan spell and despite being valued at £49.5m they could be forced to sell with his contract up at the end of next season.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey reported back in February that West Ham were among a number of clubs hoping to sign the former Anderlecht player.
February’s report suggested that Rodgers hopes to hold on to one of his most valuable assets and a big summer of spending could entice the 49-capped international to stick around but as it stands that seems unlikely to have any bearing.
A no-brainer no matter what
With Declan Rice heavily linked to a move out of the London Stadium, securing his replacement at such a bargain price shouldn’t cost GSB a second thought.
Speaking on his contract situation last summer, Rodgers said:
“Talks have been ongoing. But every day he comes in, he’s a top-class professional. He has shown the importance he’s had for me.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has also waxed lyrical about the 24-year-old in the past:
“Tielemans is a top, top-class player. I remember when I arrive in my first season and Vincent Kompany started speaking about him when he was on the national team for Belgium how good he was in that period. Vincent as always, he was right.”
Both Leicester and the Hammers like to change formations and most regularly line out in a 4-2-3-1 formation where Rice and Tomas Soucek have emerged as a hard-working tandem at the base of that engine room.
Tielemans can be often seen in a similar set-up in the Foxes’ line-up but in recent weeks Rodgers has switched to 4-3-3.
His arrival in East London could tempt David Moyes to stick to the 4-3-3 that we saw in the memorable 2-0 Europa League win at home to Sevilla and if Rice were to stay beyond this summer, the Scottish manager would have quite the formidable trio in midfield.
The Leicester ace has weighed in with six goals and two assists this season in 22 appearances and has averaged an impressive 7.18 match rating according to SofaScore.
With a Community Shield and FA Cup in the trophy cabinet, Tielemans could add further honours by moving south and having played 29 key passes that have led directly to a shot and ranking in the top 10% in Europe for progressive passes per 90 (5.94) he could bring considerable strength to the Irons’ midfield, especially in more creative areas.
AND in other news, Moyes can end striker search by signing £25m-rated “nightmare”…
