Talks are underway for Arsenal to sign Youri Tielemans, but the Gunners are more likely to complete a deal for the midfielder in the summer.

Speaking in an interview for Unibet Belgium, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri suggested Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans could be on the way to Arsenal in 2023.

“Youri Tielemans is very close to signing for Arsenal for next season. In any case, discussions are underway,” Tavolieri claimed.

The Athletic report that a new midfielder is on the agenda for Arsenal in 2023, but there’s less urgency in that area at the moment, with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny fit.

The suggestion is that Arsenal are more likely to look at the position in the summer.

In many ways, that makes Tielemans a good option. Leicester City have appeared unlikely to negotiate a cut-price deal for the player despite his deal running down, but they won’t get a say when the summer window opens.

Arsenal were heavily linked with Tielemans during the summer window, but nothing ever came of it.

It’s hard to say exactly why that was, whether due to other priorities, a difference in valuations between the two clubs, Arsenal looking long-term at a free transfer, or simply that they didn’t want to sign him.

There were some suggestions from Spain earlier in the month that Barcelona have given up on Tielemans, as they believe he’s agreed to sign for Arsenal. Tavolieri isn’t going that far, but it seems he thinks the two parties are heading in that direction.