YOURI TIELEMANS has rejected a new contract offer at Leicester, according to reports.
And that puts Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool on red alert.
According to 90min.com, the Belgian star turned down the Foxes’ latest deal.
The East Midlands club are unsurprisingly desperate to tie down their influential midfielder and fend off transfer interest.
But although Tielemans is not demanding a move away, he is thought to be holding off putting pen to paper on an extension with his current deal expiring in June 2023.
The ex-Anderlecht youngster joined Leicester from Monaco, initially on loan before a club-record £40million switch in 2019.
He has proved a crucial member of the team in recent years – playing in their last 64 consecutive Premier League games, a new record across the division.
In total, he featured a staggering 51 times in 2020-21, capping his remarkable season with his wondergoal to win Leicester their first FA Cup.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Leicester wanted to get a contract sorted before he featured for Belgium at the Euros but the player’s camp but talks on hold.
Then speaking in September, Tielemans said: “There’s no update really. I’m open to everything. The transfer market has just closed, but I want to keep as many options as I can open.
“As long as I’m here I will give everything for the club. I’ve already done so, but I will do so even more.
“The contract situation is just something that is going on in football, it’s a normal situation.
“There are talks going on – I’m not saying I’m going to sign, I’m not saying I’m not going to sign. We will see.”
And the reports suggest he is still not ready to commit – because he wants to be playing regular Champions League football.
That means Premier League rivals United, Chelsea and Liverpool could swoop.
All three have been linked with Tielemans in the past, with the 47-cap ace seen as the ideal replacement for the departed Gini Wijnaldum at Anfield.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, are crying out for a new central midfielder and many believe Tielemans fits the bill perfectly.
And he showed exactly what they are missing out on last week with his stunning goal in Leicester 4-2 win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Chelsea, however, brought Saul Niguez in on loan for the season but that has not worked so far.
Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid, Atletico and Barcelona plus Bayern Munich may also be tempted to try and lure Tielemans away from the King Power.
But it would take a significant offer to convince Leicester to sell.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s 4-3 win away at Spartak Moscow, boss Brendan Rodgers addressed the Tielemans conundrum.
He said: “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. 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.”
Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
