Leicester are quietly confident they can avoid losing midfielder Youri Tielemans for FREE in 2023

Leicester believe they can reach an agreement with Youri Tielemans that will stop their star midfielder leaving on a free transfer next summer.

Tielemans’ current deal expires at the end of the season, meaning he can agree a pre-contract with an overseas club from January and Leicester would receive no fee for the 25-year-old, who is currently with the Belgium squad preparing for the World Cup in Qatar.

But Sportsmail understands the Foxes are quietly confident that this will not happen. A new deal has been on the table for Tielemans for nearly two years and though he has yet to sign it, the Leicester hierarchy have maintained close contact with his representatives throughout.

Youri Tielemans is out of contract at Leicester next year, but the club are keen for him to stay

The alternative would be for Tielemans to leave in January for a fee – similar to the £17million deal that took Christian Eriksen from Tottenham to Inter Milan in January 2020, six months from the end of his contract. 

Leicester’s transfer policy has come under heavy scrutiny in recent months, with Tielemans one of a number of players who have less than a year remaining on their deals. Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy and Ayoze Perez are among the others who, as things stand, will be able to open talks about moves abroad in January.

Tielemans is the big one, though. After struggling to find top form for much of 2022, the Belgian hit his stride again in recent weeks, scoring spectacular goals in the wins at Wolves and Everton. He has long been on the radar of Arsenal but the Gunners were reluctant to pay the £25m asking price.

Leicester have several players out of contract in 2023, including Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu

Tielemans will always have a place in the hearts of Leicester fans after he scored the only goal against Chelsea at Wembley in May 2021, to ensure the Foxes won the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

He was arguably Leicester’s most consistent outfield player during Brendan Rodgers’ first two full seasons in charge, when his side narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification as well as winning the Cup.

Even though the contract talks have yet to reach a positive conclusion, Rodgers has often praised Tielemans’ attitude amid the uncertainty.

He said: ‘He has been a fantastic professional for us, even though he is in the situation with his contract. He’s never wavered from his mentality and what he gives to the team.

‘He provides the team with know-how in the game; he is wonderful to work with. I’d love him to sign another deal and continue his journey at Leicester, but we’ll see.’

Tielemans scored the match-winning goal for Leicester in last year’s FA Cup final

Brendan Rodgers has praised Tielemans’ professionalism, despite uncertainty over his future