Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.
The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium this summer as he has just 12 months remaining on his contract.
Tielemans has allegedly told friends that he would like to join Arsenal this summer and the Belgium international is understood to have agreed personal terms with Mikel Arteta's side.
However, the Gunners are set to face stern competition from Man United for Tielemans's signature, with one report claiming that they have a "genuine" and "growing" interest in the midfielder.
United have identified the former Monaco man as a "less complicated option" than primary target Frenkie de Jong, who is still hoping to stay at Barcelona even though a full agreement has been reached between the Red Devils and the Catalan club.
Despite one report claiming that Tielemans is likely to stay at Leicester and see out his contract, The Telegraph states that the Foxes could be forced to sell first-team players, including the Belgian, this summer due to their financial concerns.
The report adds that Leicester's wages-to-turnover ratio is 'very high' and at an unsustainable level, with too many first-team players on big-money salaries at the club.
Leicester are the only Premier League team who are yet to make a single signing this summer, and as they are currently projected to lose over £90m due to financial fair play regulations, the Foxes will need to sell players and balance their books before they can consider adding to their squad.
It Is thought that the Foxes are willing to entertain offers between £30m and £35m for Tielemans due to his contract situation.
Manager Brendan Rodgers refused to be drawn on speculation linking Tielemans with move away from the King Power Stadium when questioned by reporters earlier this week.
"There's no update at all. He's an amazing guy to work with. He's just re-joined the club [for pre-season] and he's pretty much the same. In training he's very committed," said the Northern Irishman.
"He's happy in his work and he's happy at the club. But, naturally, with a year in his contract he may feel he has to look at everything for him and his family. But I certainly know he's committed while he is here.
"I'll have a good chat with Youri next week to get privately what he's thinking. But it won't change, whether he's leaving or staying for another five years, he'll still be super committed."
Tielemans, meanwhile, has refused to rule out the prospect of leaving the Foxes this summer, telling reporters earlier this summer: "[An exit] is not out of the question. I feel very good at Leicester, I was welcomed with open arms from day one. I give everything for the club until the last day.
"But of course you have to listen to other opportunities, you have to look at your career, and sometimes you have to make choices. Maybe one will come my way."
Tielemans initially joined Leicester on loan from Monaco in 2019 before signing for the Foxes permanently a year later, and he has since made a total of 158 appearances across all competitions, scoring 24 goals and registering 24 assists. body check tags ::
