Former Liverpool and Spurs star Paul Stewart says he ‘can see’ Youri Tielemans in a red shirt next season after claims that talks were held with the Reds.
The Belgian has long since been linked with a move to Anfield and his FA Cup final performance against Chelsea saw his stock spike dramatically.
He scored with a 30-yard thunderbolt that was reminiscent of Steven Gerrard and despite Belgium being eliminated from the EUROs last week, talk surrounding a move to Liverpool has quietened somewhat.
Talks held and personal terms not an issue
Of course, any potential barrier to joining Liverpool would be over Leicester City’s asking price but even so, the Reds would reportedly not have an issue agreeing on personal terms with Tielemans.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Youri Tielemans of Leicester City scores their side’s first goal during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth – Pool/Getty Images)
Beyond Leicester’s asking price, the midfielder is reportedly happy to join the club after talks as Daniel Nielson claims that personal terms would not be an issue.
TeamTalk cites Het Nieuwsblad, who asserts that Liverpool are happy to pay Leicester City’s asking price for the Belgian but that seems unlikely given that the Foxes will demand a huge fee for the 24-year-old.
Tielemans expected to join Liverpool this summer
Paul Stewart, who made 32 appearances for the Reds, says that he expects Tielemans to be a Liverpool player this summer and wouldn’t be surprised to see him in red next season.
He told This is Futbol: “I think he’s quality. I know that his stock has gone up since the cup final goal, but I think he’s been quality all season and I can see him being at Liverpool before the start of next season.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Youri Tielemans of Leicester City looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on February 21, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Tim Keeton – Pool/Getty Images)
“But it’s a thing with Leicester, they’re going to put his price up really high because they don’t have to sell, but if the player wants to go the only club I can see him going to is Liverpool, and I can see him in a red shirt next season.”
Liverpool need to sell to buy big
Transfermarkt values the Belgian star at £49.5million (€57.6m) and I think Leicester would actually demand more than that.
He only has two years left on his contract but he’s going to be a world-class player if he can perform at a consistently high level over the next few years.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Youri Tielemans of Leicester City celebrates with the Emirates FA Cup trophy following The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Leicester are aware of his value and as they demonstrated in talks to sell Harry Maguire to Manchester United, they are prepared to stick to their guns and they eventually earned £80million from his sale.
Frustratingly, Liverpool once again need to sell in order to buy this summer and it seems incredibly unlikely that they will be able to generate the funds needed to sign Tielemans.
