Arsenal are likely to win the race for Youri Tielemans...

What's the word?

That's according to journalist Josh Holland, who told GIVEMESPORT that a move for the Leicester City midfielder will happen at some point, whether that's before Thursday's transfer deadline or in next summer's window.

He said:

"I think Tielemans is destined for a move to Arsenal, whether that’s this summer or next summer.

"I don’t think Villa could offer the finances that Arsenal will."

As the Belgian is out of contract in 2023, the Foxes could sell him for as little as €20m (£17m), as per newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.

Midfield reinforcements needed

The need for further depth in the engine room has increased drastically in recent days after Mohamed Elneny suffered a "significant injury" in the win over Fulham, leaving manager Mikel Arteta hugely short on options with Thomas Partey also out injured and Oleksandr Zinchenko nursing a knock.

Heading into their clash with Aston Villa on Wednesday, the Spaniard is only really left with Granit Xhaka and the inexperienced Albert Sambi Lokonga. That could be enough ahead of the weekend but it's a risky game to play if that's the case for the next few weeks, if not months.

The Gunners already needed depth because they have a Europa League campaign on the horizon and currently sit top of the Premier League with a 100% win record, so their chances of sustaining that level and remaining competitive will be dealt a blow without further additions.

Tielemans seems an ideal candidate given his experience in the top-flight for Leicester over the last few years.

Across 163 appearances, the Belgium international has provided 24 goals and 24 assists, averaging a direct contribution every 278.5 minutes, which is effectively one every three matches and a more than respectable return from a central midfielder, as per Transfermarkt.

He's also more than adept defensively too, having averaged 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League last season - more than any Gunners player as Partey topped the charts with 1.8 per game.

The Belgian dynamo, who talent scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed "outrageous", would surely be an exceptional signing for the north London giants at this stage of the window.

With just over 48 hours to go, technical director Edu Gaspar must look to seal his sixth signing of the window in a move for the Foxes "phenomenon", who at £17m could be one of the steals of the window.

AND in other news, Arteta could finally ditch Pepe as Arsenal eye £25m star who has “Neymar-like ability”...