Manchester United have been lauded for one transfer masterstroke this summer as Michael Carrick's side make contact over a new target.
Tielemans signing 'a steal'
Premier League icon John Obi Mikel has heaped praise on United for landing Belgium's Youri Tielemans in a bargain move. The former Chelsea star simply cannot fathom how his old rivals managed to secure the playmaker for a bargain £35m.
Just 24 hours after confirming the £48m signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, it was announced a deal had been struck for Tielemans. United triggered the player's release clause, with reports suggesting Tielemans left a strong impression on club bosses with his eagerness to push the transfer through.
Champions League-winner and four-time FA Cup champion Mikel has since ranked the move among the standout signings of the summer, admitting he struggles to comprehend why Aston Villa would agree to include such a modest clause in their star player's contract.
"For me, it's Youri Tielemans," said Mikel on The Obi One Podcast when asked to judge the best midfield signings already made this summer. "Honestly, how the f*** did Manchester United get him for £35m? That's a f***ing steal. I watched him before and during the World Cup and you can see that this is a player.
"Obviously, we all know how Tielemans plays, he can play as a six, an eight or a 10 and when you have a player that can play anywhere, it gives you the variety to change the way you want to play. Tielemans is that guy. He scores goals, he's dangerous from set pieces, he's brilliant on the ball and he rarely gives it away."
"The only thing people can say is that he's not the quickest, but he reads the game so well. He is very intelligent with and without the ball. When I look at all the midfielders that have transferred to different clubs [this window], the best one is Tielemans."
Joaquin Seys enquiry
As doubts persist over whether United will succeed in their pursuit of Lewis Hall, the club are being forced to explore alternative options. Hall, 21, has been persistently touted as the natural successor to Luke Shaw but Newcastle are standing firm in their refusal to sell.
That has prompted United to cast their net wider, with Club Brugge's Joaquin Seys the latest name to be added to their shortlist. The Sun reported the United have already made contact with his club to enquire about his availability, with Arsenal and Aston Villa also reportedly in touch.
Seys, who is also 21, caught the eye in the Pro League and even earned an unexpected call-up to Belgium's World Cup 2026 squad. He featured in the quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Spain.
Having shifted Patrick Dorgu into a more productive right wing role, Diogo Dalot remains the only other natural left-back option at Carrick's disposal. Shaw, 31, is now entering the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, and it remains to be seen whether the club will look to extend his deal.
The Sun reported Club Brugge will hold out for £30million for their player, though that isn't anticipated to prove a significant obstacle. Fierce competition from Premier League champions Arsenal, however, could present a more serious challenge.
