Chelsea control Arsenal’s transfer race as Real Madrid hold advantage for Bellingham alternative
Arsenal believes they need more depth in central midfield, and their major transfer targets are Palmeiras midfielder Danilo and Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans. Following the injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny, Arsenal asked about Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, but three offers were turned down, with the Brazilian signing a new long-term deal.
Many people are surprised that Mikel Arteta’s team is in a championship battle, as they presently sit top of the Premier League, five points ahead of defending champions Manchester City, having won 12 of their 14 league games this season.
With the domestic season over and many Arsenal players off to the World Cup, Edu and Arteta can start making serious plans for their January business.
Mykhaylo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk is perhaps the most important signing the Gunners could make, especially given recent events, which have included the Ukrainian club drastically increasing their asking price for Mudryk, as well as the 21-year-old himself stating.
Arsenal is hopeful that they will not have to go through these types of talks for Tielemans as a football player.
The Gunners have previously stated that they are waiting for his Foxes contract to expire so that they can sign him without paying a fee.
However, that transfer strategy may have been jeopardised, as Real Madrid is apparently vying for Tielemans’ signature.
While Tielemans is the Gunners’ main goal, SPORT reports that Madrid are interested in signing Jude Bellingham, particularly given remarks made by Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. He stated that discussions about his future will begin after the World Cup. If they don’t get Bellingham, the Belgian midfielder is thought to be their top choice.
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The European champions’ interest might have a huge influence on Arsenal’s pursuit of Tielemans, since Madrid would be allowed to arrange a deal with a pre-contract because they are a club outside of England.
Madrid’s Tielemans is, of course, their backup choice because they prefer Bellingham, but considering the teenager’s accomplishments in Germany, he is much sought for by several major European teams.
Chelsea, Arsenal’s Premier League opponent, might have a big influence in this transfer war. They are highly interested in Bellingham, and if they beat Madrid in that race, it may put Tielemans in an uncomfortable position over his future, with both Arsenal and Madrid vying for his talents.
The Spanish giants, on the other hand, would be in the driving seat if they can reach a pre-contract deal before the 26-year-old contract ends, making Chelsea a crucial player in this potential transfer fight that had appeared relatively uncomplicated in recent months.
