Since joining on loan from AS Monaco in the January transfer window, Youri Tielemans has been outstanding for Leicester City.
The Belgian midfielder arrived having not really lived up to expectations in Ligue 1, but he has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. He has gone straight into the Foxes' starting line-up and has been instrumental for them, featuring nine times and racking up two goals and three assists in that time.
His best form has also coincided with the arrival of Brendan Rodgers, who replaced Claude Puel as manager back in February. He has become a firm favourite of the former Celtic boss who has reportedly urged the club to make the move permanent in the summer transfer window.
Leicester, who next face West Ham United in the Premier League, are likely to face plenty of competition for his signature, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United rumoured to be interested in the player. Those two clubs could also be in a position to offer him Champions League football, and with Monaco reportedly wanting £40 million for him it would be a hefty outlay for the former Premier League champions.
But they do have one advantage when it comes to potentially signing Tielemans, and it involves a player who they currently own.
Adrien Silva's form at Monaco boosts hopes of signing Tielemans
Part of the deal to bring Tielemans to Leicester included midfielder Adrien Silva moving in the opposite direction, also on loan.
The Portugal international of course famously arrived at the Foxes in the 2017 summer transfer window, but his paperwork was not submitted in time meaning that he couldn't make his debut until the following January.
But he struggled to make much of an impact in England. He made just 14 league appearances in total and only two this season and the Foxes decided to allow him to leave in the January transfer window.
He has done much better in France though and since arriving at Monaco it would be fair to say that those connected with the club have been impressed with his performances. He has played nine times and helped the club climb out of the relegation zone and into mid-table in Ligue 1.
Due to his strong form whilst at the French club, it has convinced them that they would like to sign him permanently according to France Football.
However, given that he cost Leicester £22 million less than two years ago combined with some brilliant performances in Ligue 1, the Foxes are unlikely to accept a cut price deal to let him leave. That means that Monaco will either have to pay a hefty fee to get him, or potentially offer Tielemans as part of the deal.
This may be the best way for Leicester to land the former Anderlecht man on a permanent deal without having to fork out £40 million. They would be willing to allow Silva to leave the club and it would surely be a deal that suits all parties.
Bookmakers believe that a deal to take Tielemans to the King Power Stadium on a full time basis looks likely, with Sky Bet currently offering odds of 6/4 for him to sign for the Foxes before 3rd September 2019.
Full Youri Tielemans summer transfer odds:
(All odds taken from Sky Bet)
- Leicester City - 6/4
- Manchester United - 6/1
- Arsenal - 8/1
- Tottenham Hotspur - 10/1
- PSG - 12/1
- Manchester City - 18/1
