Manchester United moves to finalize second summer deal with Tielemans medical
Manchester United is reportedly nearing the completion of its second summer signing, with Youri Tielemans expected to undergo medical examinations. Reports indicate that the deal for the Aston Villa midfielder is in an advanced stage, following the club’s decision to pursue Tielemans after an earlier agreement for Atalanta‘s Ederson did not materialize.
The move for Tielemans comes after United reportedly activated a release clause in his contract, valued at £35 million. This development means United may not need to engage in further negotiations with Aston Villa to secure the transfer. Tielemans is understood to be en route to Manchester to commence routine medical tests, with expectations that he will sign a long-term contract after their completion. This follows United‘s earlier efficient signing of Andrey Santos.
Midfield Reinforcement for United
The pursuit of Tielemans aligns with Manchester United‘s stated aim to rebuild their midfield. The departure of Casemiro on a free transfer and a long-term knee ligament injury to Manuel Ugarte have left Kobbie Mainoo as the primary natural central midfielder in Michael Carrick‘s squad. While Andrey Santos has already joined, he was not anticipated to be the sole new addition to the midfield.
Tielemans has had several strong seasons with Aston Villa and, including his time with Leicester City, is approaching 250 Premier League appearances. His experience in the English top flight, including three seasons playing at a high level, is seen as a significant asset for United. The midfielder’s true market value is believed to be considerably higher than his release clause, making the £35 million deal a potential bargain for the club.
The acquisition of Tielemans would add substantial experience to United‘s squad, particularly after Casemiro‘s departure. Tielemans has made 579 career appearances at club level. He also showcased his abilities during a recent tournament, where he was among Belgium‘s top performers. During this competition, Belgium reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Spain.
In the tournament, Tielemans scored twice in five appearances, with both goals coming against Senegal in the last-32 stage. He also impressed during the group stage matches and in the last-16 fixture against the United States.
Strategic Midfield Additions
The decision to sign Tielemans came after United stepped away from a deal for Ederson, despite having reached a full agreement. Reports suggest an issue with Ederson’s medical led to the change in plans. This shift in focus was initially reported, with discussions between United, Villa, and Tielemans progressing rapidly.
While Aston Villa reportedly attempted to retain Tielemans, even offering the 29-year-old a new contract, United‘s activation of his release clause has put them on the verge of finalizing the transfer. The combined cost of signing Santos and Tielemans is considerably less than other recent high-profile midfield acquisitions, such as Manchester City‘s reported £116 million deal for Elliot Anderson.
Questions have been raised regarding Tielemans’ fit within Carrick‘s tactical setup, particularly concerning his stylistic similarities to Mainoo and potential defensive coverage. Carrick typically deployed two deep midfielders last season. While playing Tielemans and Mainoo together is an option, it may not provide elite defensive cover, given Tielemans’ known limited agility. Santos, being more defensive-minded among the trio but still a box-to-box player, suggests that United might still be without a direct replacement for Casemiro or Ugarte, assuming the latter’s potential departure.
It remains uncertain whether these two midfield signings will conclude United‘s rebuilding efforts in that area. The club was reportedly prepared to spend a significant sum on an England international, indicating that further funds might still be available for additional targets. Tielemans is expected to begin his medical tests on Tuesday.
Read Also
Source: standard.co.uk
