Recent reports from Daily Express state that Manchester United could revive their interest in Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans in the ongoing transfer window as Erik Ten Hag looks set to add to his option in the middle of the park ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Having already agreed to personal terms, Arsenal currently hold the upper hand in pursuing the Belgian midfielder. According to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs (via The Football Terrace), Manchester United’s interest in Tielemans dates back to January when Ralf Rangnick attempted to sign him, but the player preferred a move to the Emirates. If the Gunners fail to agree on terms with Leicester City in the coming weeks, the 25-year-old could make a U-turn and opt to join United.
Tielemans, who has just one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium, is not keen on penning down a new contract. As a result, Leicester City have put a price tag of £25 million on the player. Given that Manchester United have been long-term admirers of the Belgium international, the quoted price has put them on high alert.
Having come through the ranks at Anderlecht, Youri Tielemans joined Leicester City from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in the summer of 2019 for a fee in the region of £40 million. Over the course of the last four years, he has made 158 appearances for the Foxes, scoring twenty-four goals and assisting twenty-four more across all competitions.
The number 8 managed to put up decent numbers on the board the past term as he averaged 2.3 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 1.1 clearances, 0.4 blocks, 1.8 shots, 1.2 key passes, and 2.3 long balls per 90 minutes in the English top-flight (calculated across 32 appearances).
Ten Hag Must Sign Him At All Costs
It’s no surprise that Manchester United desperately needs a holding midfielder – someone with an impressive work rate, an exceptional passing range, and capable of exerting aerial dominance – and Tielemans fits the bill perfectly.
His arrival would also provide competition for the duo of Fred and Scott McTominay in the middle of the park while filling the void left by the likes of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
Hence, Ten Hag should go all out to secure his services for the given price tag.
(Stats from WhoScored)
