NEWCASTLE have entered the race to sign Leicester star Youri Tielemans, according to reports.
The Belgian, 25, has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium.
He has shown no indications of wanting to sign a new one and will look to end his Leicester stay.
Arsenal have held a long-term interest in the midfield ace, while Manchester United have also been linked.
But neither opted to meet the Foxes’ £25million valuation in the summer.
According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Newcastle could sneak ahead of both and secure Tielemans’ signature in January.
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They claim that the Toon are readying a £17m bid for the highly-rated star.
Leicester could be under pressure to sell mid-season, rather than letting him walk for free next June.
Club bosses are understood to want to recoup at least some of the £40m they splashed out to sign him in 2019.
Whether Tielemans would accept a move to St James’ Park remains to be seen.
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He has previously indicated that he wants to leave Leicester for a team competing in the Champions League.
The Foxes lost Wesley Fofana to Chelsea last month, while stalwart Kasper Schmeichel left for Nice.
Brendan Rodgers’ side sit bottom of the Premier League after picking up just one point from their opening six games.
Of these matches, Tielemans has started five – remaining a key man despite doubts lingering over his future.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have had an indifferent start – winning one, drawing four and losing one of their opening half a dozen matches.
Tielemans could gather more interest over the winter months, as he competes for Belgium at the World Cup in Qatar.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
