Barcelona dealt blow as free transfer target has an agreement with Arsenal – report

With Barcelona still in a tricky situation with regard to their finances, club director Mateu Alemany has confirmed that the club will once again look for free transfer opportunities in the summer window next year.

And with the midfield department being an area where reinforcements are being looked at, Leicester City star Youri Tielemans has emerged as a transfer target for the Blaugrana.

The 25-year-old Belgian international will see his contract at the King Power Stadium expire at the end of the season and he has shown no indication that he wants to sign a new deal. It has alerted a whole host of clubs, including Barcelona, who are interested in signing him.

However, according to Belgian outlet Voetbal Primeur, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Tielemans will likely continue in the Premier League beyond this season as he already has an agreement to join Arsenal ahead of next season.

This development will come as a blow for Barcelona, as well as the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United who were also in the hunt to sign the 25-year-old midfielder at the end of the season.

Tielemans made a poor start to the 2022/23 campaign but has hit his strides in recent weeks. He has netted three goals in 14 Premier League matches and will look to build on his performances at the World Cup where he will represent Belgium.

As for Barcelona, a move for Tielemans could be unlikely now that it seems he has already agreed to join Arsenal, who sit atop the Premier League table.

However, the Catalan giants are also looking at several other midfielders, including Chelsea duo Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, who will also be free agents in the summer.