Manchester United’s bid to land a top-drawer central midfielder has led them to consider a move for Youri Tielemans as an alternative to their primary targets.
According to the Daily Star, Manchester United could make a move for Youri Tielemans in the summer as the Belgian could quit Leicester City. The Red Devils are considering the midfielder as an alternative to their other targets who could be expensive or difficult to acquire before next season.
Old Trafford has become a calmer place after the early-season chaos, with Ralf Rangnick bringing in some stability to the team. As the German steps away from his interim manager role in the summer, the club hierarchy is already planning for the future.
One of the key decisions would be to bring in quality players in the summer transfer window that suit Manchester United’s system, particularly in central midfield.
Ideally, the Red Devils would have liked to bring in Declan Rice, who has tremendous interest from big Premier League sides. But with David Moyes suggesting the West Ham midfielder could cost upwards of £100 million in the summer, the valuation might price Manchester United out of the move.
Meanwhile, another of their top targets, Kalvin Phillips, could snub Manchester United’s interest owing to his allegiance to Leeds United and their fans. The England international is reportedly willing to sign a new deal with the Whites, which would lock his future in Yorkshire.
As a result, Manchester United are prepared to look elsewhere for a top-notch midfielder, with Youri Tielemans becoming the latest name linked with a switch. The Red Devils are prepared to make a move for the Belgian in the summer. Leicester City are resigned to losing him as he will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the season.
Talks were held with Arsenal over a move in January, but a transfer did not materialise. But the Belgian has seemingly made up his mind about leaving Leicester City in the summer, having rejected the idea of signing a new contract at the King Power Stadium.
If Manchester United are serious about pursuing the midfielder, they may face competition from rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. It could turn out to be a tense race for the Belgian in the summer, which would only benefit Leicester in terms of fetching a reasonable fee.
Manchester United could lose star man Paul Pogba on a free transfer since the midfielder has not agreed on a new deal. Tielemans could be considered as the Frenchman’s replacement, which makes it all the more important for the Red Devils to sign him. But with increasing competition, they will have their task cut out to land the former RSC Anderlecht man.
