Manchester United are reportedly in negotiations with the representatives of Belgian international Youri Tielemans, who is also wanted by Leicester City.
Manchester United are heavily interested in securing the services of AS Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans in the ongoing transfer window and to that end, have been in talks with the 22-year-old’s agent, according to reputed Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur.
Tielemans has been heralded as one of the most promising young midfielders across Europe ever since he broke through the RSC Anderlecht first-team at the age of 16. The midfielder joined Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco in 2017, but things haven’t worked out all too well for him in France.
Tielemans could muster up just one goal and two assists in his first season with Monaco. While he did improve on his numbers in 2018-19 – 5 goals and 1 assist in 20 Ligue 1 matches – the Principality outfit shipped him out on loan to Premier League side Leicester City for the second half of last season.
Tielemans made a strong impression with the Foxes in a short time, netting 3 goals and setting up 5 more in just 13 Premier League outings. The way he adapted to the English top-flight has sparked a flurry of interest in the 22-year-old, with Leicester themselves keen on signing him permanently, while Manchester United and Tottenham too have cast admiring glances towards him.
Terreur, though, claims that Tottenham have other priorities at the moment, leaving Manchester United and Leicester City chasing Tielemans’ signature.
Manchester United had a disappointing 2018-19 campaign that ended with them missing out on Champions League football for the upcoming season. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eyeing a major squad rebuild in the summer, with a new midfielder also being on the agenda.
Manchester United can no longer call on the services of Ander Herrera, with the Spaniard being released at the expiry of his contract, while question marks remain over the future of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is heavily linked with a summer move to Real Madrid and could leave the Red Devils, which would render them short on quality in the centre of the park.
Tielemans would help Manchester United fill that hole in their midfield, with his energy and ability to drive forward with the ball. Moreover, his numbers with Leicester show that he can provide the 20-time English champions with an additional source of goals from the middle. So, it does not come as a surprise that they have been in talks with his agent for over a month now.
Tielemans is contracted with Monaco till 2022, but has no interest in continuing there according to Terreur. With Tottenham turning their focus elsewhere, Manchester United would think they have an edge over Leicester in the pursuit of the 22-year-old, as they will be able to offer European football.
Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the signing of Portuguese superstar Bruno Fernandes and should they add Tielemans to their roster as well, Solskjaer’s side will have a formidable midfield unit to boast of heading into the next season.
