Brendan Rodgers claims Leicester City have opened talks with Youri Tielemans over a new contract, but reports suggest they’ve made little progress.

Owynn Palmer-Atkin reports that Brendan Rodgers has informed him that discussions with a number of players have begun over contract renewals, ahead of those deals expiring in the summer.

Youri Tielemans was one of the players Rodgers mentioned as having been in talks with Leicester City.

The Athletic confirm that the club are in contract talks with Tielemans, but add that there’s been no progress as the midfielder wants to assess his options as a free agent.

The Athletic’s Rob Tanner recently reported that Tielemans is the most likely Leicester City player to be in demand in January.

Tanner wrote that Arsenal remain interested in Tielemans, though they were put off by Leicester’s asking price in the summer window.

With the midfielder’s contract expiring in 2023, Leicester would have to dramatically reduce their valuation to have any chance of recouping some cash in the winter window.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported last week that “discussions are underway” for Tielemans to join Arsenal in 2023, though The Athletic suggest the Gunners are more likely to pursue a move for a midfielder in the summer.

At that stage, Tielemans would be a good option. With his deal up, Leicester City would no longer get a say in his future, and Arsenal could sign him up for free (or for a signing-on fee, at least).