Youri Tielemans rejects latest contract offer from Leicester City

Exclusive – Youri Tielemans has rejected Leicester City’s latest offer of a new contract and is continuing to weigh up his options, 90min understands.

Tielemans, 24, is not demanding an immediate move away from the King Power Stadium, but he is showing no inclination to extend his current deal.

The Belgian’s contract is due to expire in 2023, and Leicester have been working hard to persuade him to sign a new deal as they are aware of the major interest emerging in him from both the Premier League and Europe.

Most of Leicester’s big Premier League rivals are monitoring his situation. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool hold interest whilst Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are also attentive on the continent.

Leicester had initially begun talks over an extension before the European Championships in the summer, but Tielemans’ camp insisted they must wait until after.

Now Tielemans has told Leicester he is not in the right place to sign a long-term deal. The midfielder arrived at Leicester in 2019 from Monaco, initially on loan, but then joined in a near £40m permanent move.

Whilst Tielemans is very happy in the East Midlands and is grateful to them for kick-starting his career following his struggles in Monte Carlo, it is understood that he has told them that he sees himself playing regular Champions League football in the near future as he believes he belongs at that level.

Leicester are clearly worried about the situation, but they have faith that manager Brendan Rodgers will work his magic and persuade him to stay.

“There will obviously be talks with the club in terms of his contract but I continue to work with him and help him improve as a player,” Rodgers said. “That’s my only focus.

He is an outstanding player, one of Europe’s top midfielders. He is integral to our game and a joy to work with – a super professional. A young player with that focus is great to see.”

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