Leicester City have reportedly been forced to concede defeat in their bid to retain the service of Youri Tielemans after the midfielder rejected another contract extension offer. The 24-year-old Belgian's current contract expires in the summer of 2023 but has added fuel to recent claims of an imminent departure by refusing to commit his future to the King Power outfit.
Tielemans joined Leicester in 2019, initially on loan and then for an estimated fee of $43.4M (£32M), and has since become an integral member of the team. The midfielder has caught the attention of a number of top European club with his top performances but no headway was made by any of the potential suitors who were deterred from making a move as a result of the Foxes' $81.4M (£60M) asking price.
I've been told Youri Tielemans will NOT extend his contract with Leicester. New deal bid has been turned down - current one expires in 2023. #LCFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 11, 2022
Of course Youri will be professional, he's focused on Leicester. Many top clubs want him for June.
More: https://t.co/zGmzMaADUd pic.twitter.com/BIpAwzzGfp
With yet a year left on the former AS Monaco star's current deal, Leicester will be forced to cash in on him and the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United are all said to be monitoring the situation. According to multiple reports from Belgium and the UK, the club has reduced its asking price for the midfielder and will be willing to accept a figure close to $47.5M (£35M).
With the future Paul Pogba yet to be decided at Manchester United, it is speculated that Tielemans could be the player to replace the Frenchman at Old Trafford.
