Online Reporter
MANCHESTER UNITED have sealed a bargain £35m raid on Aston Villa to snatch midfielder Youri Tielemans.
The 29-year-old, who had a release clause at Villa and captained Belgium’s World Cup squad, has penned a five-year-deal until 2031.
Tielemans said: “It’s hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United. Signing for such a special club feels incredible, it is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football.
“I have had the privilege of experiencing success in the game and it has only increased my determination to achieve more.
“The ambition from everyone at the club is extremely clear; we are all determined to push for the biggest trophies over the coming years.”
He has 244 Premier League appearances to his name, having joined Leicester from Monaco in 2019, before moving to Villa on a free transfer following the Foxes’ relegation in 2023.
Tielemans becomes United’s second midfield signing of the week, following Monday’s announcement of a £50m deal with Chelsea for Andrey Santos that runs until 2031.
It comes after United’s plan to sign Ederson from Atalanta for £35m was scrapped for now after a medical highlighted an injury-related issue.
United’s Ineos leadership group are in the market for another midfielder despite paying a combined £85m up front for Santos and Tielemans.
Casemiro‘s departure at the end of last season left Carrick without a natural No6, but the club are looking to focus on that role with at least one more addition to the midfield ranks.
While Santos can play in that position, the 22-year-old still lacks top-flight experience with just 13 Premier League starts under his belt.
Tielemans has operated in a deeper role but is primarily seen as a No8 – the position Kobbie Mainoo occupied when Michael Carrick restored him to the starting XI in January after Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
Jason Wilcox, Director of Football, said: “Youri has consistently been one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League throughout the past seven years.
“He has all of the technical qualities, as well as the ambition and mentality, to thrive at Manchester United. Youri’s consistency is exceptional, and he will add further composure, creativity and leadership to our squad.
“We are delighted to welcome a player of his influence and experience , both on the pitch and within the dressing room, as we continue to build a team ready to challenge for the biggest honours.”
Following Casemiro‘s exit and Manuel Ugarte‘s knee injury, England‘s Mainoo had been their only experienced orthodox central midfielder.
A former team-mate of current first-team coach Jonny Evans, Tielemans made his mark on English football having scored one of the great FA Cup winning goals for Leicester City against Chelsea in 2021.
His superb volley in the Europa League final against Freiburg set Unai Emery‘s side on their way to European glory in May too.
Last season he was impacted by separate calf and ankle problems that restricted him to 35 appearances in all competitions for Villa, the lowest number during his time in England.
After impressing at the World Cup, including scoring a memorable 89th-minute equaliser against Senegal, then converting an extra-time winner from the penalty spot, his tournament came to a premature end when he was injured in the warm-up before the quarter-final defeat to Spain. But Tielemans conducted the first bulk of his medical at a private hospital at Wilmslow on Monday due to the swiftness of the deal.The move for Tielemans, who turns 30 next May, represents a drastic shift in United’s recruitment strategy as their preferred age range for targets is between 22 and 26.
United lost out to rivals Manchester City in their attempts to sign first-choice Elliot Anderson, while Mateus Fernandes opted to move to Tottenham from West Ham for higher wages.
SunSport revealed on Tuesday that United were still in the market for a left-winger and a forward, although shifting Marcus Rashford would be needed – Sun.
