Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Youri Tielemans, according to reports

 Sources claim that the Gunners are confident of completing a £40million move for the midfielder after a hugely impressive time with Leicester City.

Mikel Arteta’s side are certainly in pole position to complete the signing, but a move could depend on their ability to qualify for the Champions League.

Should they miss out, and rivals Tottenham beat them to fourth place, Real Madrid are said to be waiting in the wings to complete a deal of their own.

As far as Leicester are concerned, Brendan Rodgers’ side have their hands tie.

Tielemans is facing an uncertain future with his contract at the King Power Stadium expiring in the summer of 2023.

With the 25-year-old determined to play Champions League football, it means that a summer move could make sense as the Foxes look to ensure that they don’t lose their star man for nothing in just over 12 months time.

While Arsenal are sitting in pole position to earn a top four finish, Jamie O’Hara is of the belief that it will be Tottenham playing in Europe’s top competition next year.

He told the talkSPORT Breakfast: “I think that Spurs are going to nick it.

“We’ve got to get through Liverpool which is a tough fixture and I’ll be surprised if we get anything from that, but both Arsenal and Tottenham are where they are because they have inconsistent performances

“If we’re talking about winning all of our games between now and the end of the season, we’d be like Chelsea and Liverpool.

“We’ll slip up and Arsenal will slip up. We’ve got the north London derby which will be the biggest north London derby in recent times and that is a huge, huge fixture.

“I just fancy us, under the lights with the players that we’ve got and the front three that we’ve got. If we step up I think we can turn them over, I really do.

“This is a young Arsenal side and credit to them, no one expected them to be where they are and it was a big performance against West Ham and they’re a good young team.

“But I think that Spurs have just got a little bit more experience than them and when the pressure’s on, we might just find a way to get it done.”

The Gunners want to bolster their midfield options as they return to European competition next season and the Belgian midfielder has emerged as a prime summer target.

Arsenal currently occupy fourth spot but are engaged in a tussle with their north London rivals Tottenham, with the two sides set to meet on Thursday.

Spurs drew 1-1 at title-chasing Liverpool on Saturday night, affording Arsenal the chance to move four points clear if they beat Leeds on Sunday.

Arteta regards Tielemans, 25, as an upgrade on Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny in the midfield area and Leicester are increasingly resigned to losing their man.

Tielemans' contract at the King Power Stadium expires next year, and he has rejected offers of an extension, meaning the Foxes will need to cash in now