Youri Tielemans must be Arsenal’s obvious January transfer priority

Few players have a goal catalogue as eye-catching as Youri Tielemans’, and the Leicester midfielder added another gorgeous finish to his highlights reel at Goodison Park on Saturday night. A dipping half-volley that kissed the underside of the crossbar on its way past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was dubbed ‘a goal that takes your breath away’ by Sky Sports commentator Rob Hawthorne.And his Merseyside strike, which contributed to a 2-0 win, was his second goal of the season contender having also netted a wonderful effort in a win at Wolves last month. The 25-year-old’s suitors are on high alert with his Leicester contract expiring at the end of the season.And given their long-term interest in the player, Arsenal must surely move for the Belgium international in January. At the very least a bid that at least makes the Foxes think must be submitted, even if it is one that is ultimately rejected.If Arsenal can prove how keen they are on Tielemans to him in the winter window, their odds of him then picking them come the summer – when he will have a multitude of options – will greatly increase. Transfermarkt claim Tielemans is still worth £34million despite his contract situation but Mikel Arteta and Edu might be able to do a January deal for less than that.MUST READ: Jeff Stelling issues apology to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp Arsenal have obvious £34m January transfer mission as Gunners take title fight to Man City (Image: PA)Arsenal may deem £30m or so too expensive in the knowledge they could sign him without spending a penny in the summer but landing him in January would be hugely beneficial. Granit Xhaka has been reinvigorated this season while Thomas Partey has been crucial alongside him.But behind the pair there is a clear drop-off in the other central midfield options available to Arteta in Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny, though Fabio Vieira can be deployed in a deeper role if required. Having Tielemans as another player to help bridge the gulf in quality would be of monumental help.The Gunners only need to look back to last January and see how much the mid-season addition of Luis Diaz helped Manchester City’s previous title rivals Liverpool as they sought success on all fronts. Arsenal will have surprised themselves with their start to the season and it appears possible they could take City all the way in the Premier League title race.DON’T MISS…Man Utd ‘about to finalise Gakpo transfer agreement’ in fresh twistTottenham ‘to use Emerson’ in swap deal when January window opensMan Utd privately watching Vlahovic as Ronaldo ‘nears exit’ in twist Arsenal have obvious £34m January transfer mission as Gunners take title fight to Man City (Image: GETTY)But doing so without January signings would require extraordinary luck. Recruiting Tielemans would ease the burden on the likes of Xhaka and Partey while adding a player who, at 25, still has the best years of his career to offer to the club.Tielemans is not a dynamic player but he is a technical deep-lying playmaker who has both the eye for a pass and a stunning long-range goal, and who is constantly proactive and looking to progress the ball forward. He looks an ideal fit for Arsenal given Arteta has got so much out of Xhaka this season, with the Swiss’ mobility similar to Tielemans.Manchester United and Newcastle are other clubs keen on the Belgian and so him choosing Arsenal in the summer is far from a guarantee. But they can do their chances of bringing him to the Emirates for nothing a world of good in January. Even better, they could snap him up straight away if they want a timely shot in the arm for their title aspirations.Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our Facebook group by clicking here