Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after their move for the Atalanta midfielder Éderson fell through. Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, is in advanced talks with Villa regarding a financial package for the 29-year-old Belgium international.
Release Clause and Contract Details
Tielemans is thought to have a £35m release clause in his contract, which has two years remaining. He captained Belgium at the World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals, eventually losing 2-1 to Spain on Friday.
Premier League Experience
The midfielder has considerable Premier League experience, having joined Leicester from Monaco in 2019 before moving to Villa on a free transfer four years later. He has 90 caps for his country.
Midfield Overhaul at United
With Casemiro having departed United at the end of last season and Manuel Ugarte considered a squad player at best, Michael Carrick is seeking to overhaul his midfield department. A £48m plus £2m add-ons deal for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos was confirmed on Monday, and Éderson was set to be Carrick’s second midfield signing of the summer. However, the proposed £38m transfer has been called off following the 27-year-old Brazilian’s medical. United could return to the deal later in the window.
Shift in Transfer Policy
In the meantime, United have moved ahead with their interest in Tielemans, and their intent to recruit him signals a shift in United’s transfer policy given his age means he will have little or no sell-on value. He would also represent a notable loss to Villa, especially in light of the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained by his compatriot Amadou Onana at the World Cup.
Villa's Midfield Reinforcement
Villa do appear set to bolster their midfield options with the £49m signing of Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi from Freiburg, however.
