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Tottenham Hotspur could miss out on the signing of Youri Tielemans this summer, with Leicester City trying to tie the Belgium international down to a permanent deal, per the Daily Mirror.

Tielemans is currently on loan at the Foxes from AS Monaco.

What’s the word?

The Mirror claim that manager Brendan Rodgers is desperate to retain the services of Tielemans beyond the summer.

Since his move to England, the 21-year-old has scored two goals and provided four assists in just nine outings for the Foxes.

The report claims that both Spurs and Manchester United are monitoring the youngster’s progress, while Rodgers is wary of letting him slip through his fingers.

A deal would cost £40million and the ex-Liverpool boss wants to tie Tielemans’ future up before another club swoops in to steal him away.

A missed opportunity

Spurs really should have done this deal in January.

The Daily Telegraph claimed at the time that the club were exploring the possibility of a loan move.

Now, he is thriving at Leicester and appears every inch a Premier League player.

With Mousa Dembele gone, Tielemans would be the perfect replacement at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, capable of turning defence to attack with his weaving runs through the middle of the park in vintage Dembele fashion.

Sadly for Mauricio Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy, it may be too late.