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‘Almost a done deal’: Arsenal were about to sign ‘incredible’ £40m star, now they could miss out – journalist

Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/vi/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/vi/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Alex Crook has revealed that Youri Tielemans to Arsenal was almost a done deal, but that move could collapse now after what happened over the last week.

The Gunners have been linked with a whole host of players ahead of the summer transfer window. Arsenal’s priority will be a new striker, but they need to bring in a top-quality midfielder as well.

Leicester City star Tielemans is reportedly Mikel Arteta’s top target and the Belgian would be a sensational signing. However, Arsenal may well miss out on him due to one key reason.

Tottenham’s chances of signing Youri Tielemans may just have increased after Monday – TBR View

Arsenal could miss out on Tielemans due to no Champions League

The Gunners were in the driving seat to finish fourth this time last week, but back-to-back defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United mean they’re likely to end up in the Europa League.

Crook has revealed that Tielemans to Arsenal was all but done and that the midfielder was going to sign the contract. However, the journalist’s comments suggest that the lack of Champions League football could cause the deal to collapse.

He told : “I think when we spoke in January, we talked about the fact that his agent had already been down at London Colney to thrash out terms.

“I was told a week or so ago that if Arsenal qualified for the top four, it was almost a done deal. If there was Champions League football, he would sign the contract.”

Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images

TBR View:

Tielemans is a top-quality midfielder, there’s no doubt about that. The Belgian, branded as ‘incredible’ by Michael Dawson, will enter the final year of his contract this summer and is almost certain to leave Leicester.

It was reported earlier this month that the Gunners are growing confident of sealing a £40 million deal to sign Tielemans, but Arteta’s side were the favourites to qualify for the Champions League then, that is no longer the case now.

It will be interesting to see if Edu and Arteta can convince Tielemans and all their other top targets about the project at the Emirates.

This season has proved that they are on the right path, but the Champions League is a major attraction, and that could well be the reason why the Belgian and a few others may end up snubbing a move the Gunners.

Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images