Youri Tielemans now looks almost certain to leave Leicester City on a free transfer, after Brendan Rodgers ruled out a January sale.

Youri Tielemans’ contract expires at the end of the season, leaving three options.

Either Leicester City extend his deal before the summer, sell him in January, or they’ll lose him on a free transfer in the summer.

Brendan Rodgers appeared to rule out the option of a January sale ahead of the weekend, whilst speaking to the media before Leicester City’s match against West Ham.

“It’s not something we are thinking of [selling Tielemans] and not anything the club have said we need to do,” Rodgers said. “We don’t want to be offloading our best players, that’s for sure.

“So there has been no hint or indication we need to generate money and move him on. But, of course, there’s a business side to the club that they will look at.

“We have a number of players out of contract come the end of the season. My focus has been on working with him and getting out of the situation we are in. So everything else is not really spoken about from my perspective.”

Earlier in the week, Fabrizio Romano had claimed the option of a contract extension was also off the table.

Speaking to the CBS Sports podcast House of Champions, Romano claimed the Leicester City midfielder has decided not to sign a new contract, making that decision as long ago as last year.

That seemingly only leaves a free transfer for Tielemans. Leicester appear to have missed their chance to cash in, and you’d think there are going to be a few clubs interested in the signing in 2023.

Arsenal were linked with Tielemans throughout the summer window, so perhaps they’ll be one of those making an offer.