Transfer Talk: Tielemans must make right choice to resurrect career

Youri Tielemans will not be joining Leicester in their quest to return to the Premier League. 

The midfielder's contract expires this summer and he is set to walk away from the relegated club. 

A number of top teams in England and abroad are interested in signing the Belgian international on a free transfer. 

We take a look at Tielemans' options and analyse where he would fit in best. 

Something's not Wright

There was much speculation that Tielemans would leave Leicester last summer but no club were willing to match their valuation.

In retrospect, it would have been best for both parties if the 26-year-old had left. 

Though the Foxes would not have recouped much of a fee, Tielemans did not perform at the level expected of him, which Ian Wright recently blamed on a move not materialising. 

Wright said: "Tielemans' drop-off this season is quite sad, you know. It [missing out on transfer] has got to have had some effect. 

"I thought he would have got the move and he was playing the kind of football where you're thinking, 'Yeah he can't stay there for much longer'. 

"But what's happened is that you watch him and he hasn't got the dynamism that he had." 

No-brainer

Though Tielemans has plenty of ability on the ball, his lack of pace and defensive nous have often been highlighted. 

These concerns and a general decline in form over the past couple of seasons may have put clubs off buying the Belgian, both last summer and then in January. 

Yet now he is available on a free transfer, his acquisition is something of a no-brainer for any team looking to bolster their midfield. 

Premier League rivals Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham have all been linked, while Roma are also said to be interested. 

For Tielemans to be an asset for any of those clubs, his levels of performance will have to rise from what we have seen this season but he could thrive in the right system. 

Youri's choice

Of the teams linked with Tielemans, there are some where he looks a better fit than others. 

With Granit Xhaka leaving Arsenal and the Gunners generally looking to strengthen their pool of midfielders, the playmaker could be a smart purchase. 

Yet beyond the lack of a transfer fee, it is hard to see what Tielemans would bring to a Liverpool midfield requiring more industry or a Manchester United squad that already has plenty of technical players. 

He would seem a better fit in Newcastle's midfield three as Eddie Howe looks to widen his options ahead of next season's Champions League campaign. 

It would seem likely that Tielemans will receive more than one offer and have some element of choice over where he goes next. 

A team that plays possession football, where he has a good chance of getting regular time on the pitch without too much defensive responsibility would be a smart choice. 

The slower pace in Italy with Roma could be perfect if the midfielder decides to leave England. 

After a couple of disappointing campaigns, it is easy to forget the quality that this two-footed maestro possesses. It is time for Tielemans to make the right decision and resurrect his career.