Journalist Pete O’Rourke reports that Youri Tielemans is ready to snub any interest from Saudi Pro League clubs this summer, as he is fully committed to staying at Aston Villa. Several Saudi teams have put the Belgian midfielder on their radar. It is hardly a surprise, given his status as one of the Premier League’s most well-rounded midfielders, but the report suggests that even a massive payday in the Middle East won’t lure him away from Birmingham.
Tielemans Turns Down Saudi Arabia to Stay Committed to Aston Villa
Al-Ittihad and Fenerbahçe have both been linked with him in the past, proving that Tielemans still commands attention from top-tier clubs. According to Pete O’Rourke, the 28-year-old feels he has a lot left to give in English football and wants to help maintain the momentum Unai Emery has sparked at Villa Park.
Aston Villa see things the same way. With his contract running until June 2028, the club view him as a vital part of their setup for next season. After being named the permanent captain of the Belgium national team in September 2025, it’s clear his standing in the game has never been higher.
Is Tielemans Actually Irreplaceable at Villa Park Right Now?
The timing of this news suggests his value to the team goes beyond just a contract status. Tielemans went down with an ankle injury during Villa’s 2-0 win at Newcastle in late January, and both he and Andrès Garcia are expected to return in mid-April after the international break. Since he’s been out, Villa have managed just one win in seven Premier League games.
This stat pretty much sums up how much they miss him. Few midfielders in the league offer the skills that he possesses. Under Emery, he often plays as a number ten, bringing out progressive passes while winning back possession in areas most creative players don’t even track back to. He even set a Premier League record in November by completing 126 passes in a win over Everton, which highlights exactly how much Emery relies on him to dictate play.
The Belgian dictates the game with smart positioning, covering ground between the lines, and a passing range that can split a defence from deep. He racked up four assists in 17 league games this season before his injury, averaging a 6.89 rating. His attacking threat ranks him third among all Premier League midfielders, while a defensive index of 78.52 shows he’s a true box-to-box engine. However, Tielman’s season hasn’t been perfect. His goal scoring has dipped compared to previous years, and that ankle injury cut short what was looking like a very strong run of form in the autumn.
Looking toward the summer, Tielemans has plenty of motivation beyond the club level. With a World Cup coming up, he’ll be desperate to get back to full fitness and lead Belgium as their new captain. In that frame of mind, Saudi Arabia simply isn’t an option. Villa want to keep him, the player is happy where he is, and his contract gives potential buyers zero leverage. Once he returns in April, expect Tielemans to be a fixture in Villa’s lineup for the run-in and a guaranteed starter heading into next season.
