AS Monaco star Youri Tielemans has disclosed he turned down a transfer to Arsenal during the last summer transfer window in a bid to secure regular playing time with the French Ligue 1 champions.
Tielemans, 20, was a subject of summer transfer interest from some top clubs across Europe with top teams like Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all strongly linked with transfers for the midfielder who ended up joining AS Monaco in a £22million transfer.
Tielemans feels he will do well linking up with the Stade Louis II team rather than the Emirates club due to the number of established stars in the current midfield lineup at the Emirates Stadium.
Discussing his decision to join AS Monaco, the Belgium international striker said he knew joining the Gunners will not bring about many changes due to the North London club’s stance to keep their first team players to compete favourably with their Premier League title rivals.
The midfield maestro who was also a major target for Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho also disclosed that he never said no to any team but chose his current club to have regular playing time chances.
Despite massive rumour over the Gunner’s transfer business during the last summer window, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could not sign a new face to his midfield with the Arsenal future of the likes of midfielder Jack Wilshere, Egyptian Mohammed Elneny and German Mesut Ozil in the balance.
