Newcastle United are expected to make a move for Youri Tielemans, according to Keith Downie.
The Magpies have a keen interest in the midfielder, who sees his current £120k-per-week deal at the King Power Stadium expire in the summer.
This has left Newcastle on red alert, with Dean Jones revealing earlier this month that Eddie Howe’s side may look to bring the Belgian in on a cut-price winter deal rather than wait until the summer.
Tielemans has been at Leicester City since making a loan move (and subsequent £35m switch) in 2019, but the 25-year-old, who netted an unbelievable winning goal in the 2021 FA Cup final, doesn’t look set to continue in the east Midlands with Brendan Rodgers’ struggling side next season.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sky Sports reporter Downie claimed that he expects the Magpies to explore a move for Tielemans, having been on Newcastle’s shortlist for some time, saying:
“Tielemans is a player they’ve had a long-standing interest in, and I would be surprised if they don’t go for him.
“I think it would be a mistake if they don’t. I just think he would be perfect. What he would do is he would raise the standard moving forward as well.”
TIF Thoughts on Downie’s comments…
If they can snap him up this month, Newcastle should definitely do it.
Tielemans, who has been hailed as a ‘special‘ player, has proved during his time at Leicester that he’s one of the most technically astute players in the top flight.
What was already a necessity has become a priority overnight for Howe, with Bruno Guimaraes being withdrawn against Fulham in tears due to injury, so they perhaps need a replacement for the catalytic Brazilian in the middle of the park, with it not yet clear how long he will be out for.
Tielemans is in the top 18% and top 16% for tackles and blocks respectively amongst midfielders over the past year (via FBref), whilst also being in the top 15% for shot-creating actions and top 19% for total shots, showing he could perhaps pick up Guimaraes’ influence at both ends of the pitch.