TIELEMANS MAY LEAVE CLUB FOR FREE
RODGERS ADMITS THAT IS POSSIBLE IF CITY CANNOT RESOLVE FUTURE OF HIGHLY-RATED BELGIAN STAR
THE stand-off over Youri Tielemans’ Leicester City future could see him remain at the club for another year before leaving on a free transfer, writes Jordan Blackwell.
Tielemans is at the centre of City’s biggest transfer saga this summer and he has attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
But so far, there has been little progress towards an exit or a contract extension, with the Belgian now in the final 12 months of his City deal.
Brendan Rodgers said there was no update to provide on the club’s contract negotiations with Tielemans, which began more than 18 months ago, and the manager said he would speak to the midfielder this week to establish his thoughts on his future.
If no acceptable bids arrive, and no deal is signed, Rodgers did admit it was a “possibility” he could stay before leaving for nothing in a year’s time.
“There’s no update at all,” Rodgers said at the weekend on Tielemans’ contract negotiations.
“He’s an amazing guy to work with. He’s just rejoined the club (for pre-season) and he’s pretty much the same.
“In training he’s very committed. He’s happy in his work and he’s happy at the club.
“But naturally, with a year on his contract, he may feel he has to look at everything for him and his family.
“But I certainly know he’s committed here while he is here.
“I’ll have a good chat with Youri next week to get privately what he’s thinking.
“But it won’t change, whether he’s leaving or staying for another five years, he’ll still be super committed.”
Asked if the club would accept Tielemans staying for the final 12 months of his deal before departing on a free transfer, Rodgers said: “I’m not sure.
“For that to happen that means there’s been no acceptable offer or there hasn’t been an offer. That’s the reality.
“From Youri’s perspective, he’ll continue to train and work.
“He’s very focused on getting himself fit and, like he always is with the team, he’s a great guy to have in the squad.
“Until that changes, I will give everything to keep developing him and the team.
“There is a possibility, but we have to wait and see.”
Tielemans has been City’s most-used outfield player by some distance over the past two seasons, his 95 starts coming in at 25 more than the next player on the list, James Maddison.
The Belgian played about 50 minutes of City’s 3-3 draw with OH Leuven on Saturday for his first appearance of pre-season, and set up the third and final goal for Jamie Vardy.