Arsenal & Chelsea target confirms free transfer exit

Arsenal and Chelsea target Youri Tielemans has confirmed that he will be leaving Leicester City when his contract expires on June 30.

The Belgium international has been a mainstay for the Foxes for several seasons but he has now decided to pursue a fresh challenge.

He said in a statement: "Thank you to Khun Top (Chairman), the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home. This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell."

The former Monaco man was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last summer but a transfer did not materialise in the end.

The Gunners agreed personal terms with the midfielder but they were put off by the Foxes' asking price of around £40 million.

In January, both Arsenal and Chelsea were linked with cut-price moves for Tielemans but the Foxes decided to keep him instead.

He will now become a free-agent and has the luxury of choosing his next club. Tielemans could prefer to continue in the Premier League.