A Youri Tielemans bombshell from Manchester United

An unexpected name has stepped onto the stage in Manchester United's midfield search. According to the exclusive report, the Red Devils are in advanced talks to sign Aston Villa's Belgian star Youri Tielemans. All parties are said to be in contact, with the club trying to finalise the transfer and the 29-year-old midfielder also keen on the move. The same report states that the Ederson deal is off for now, and that United may look to revisit that file later in the summer.

This development also explains another move in the transfer market. With Tielemans' departure expected, Aston Villa are reported to have accelerated on the Johan Manzambi transfer, stepping up their attempt to hijack Newcastle United's agreement with Freiburg. On Villa's side, the club is said to have wanted to offer Tielemans a new contract but could not finalise it without seeing how the summer unfolded due to financial restrictions; interest in the player is reported from Saudi Arabia and within the Premier League.

Tielemans is one of the names at the heart of Villa's recent rise. Arriving on a free transfer from Leicester in 2023 with a contract running until 2028, the Belgium captain was one of the architects of the Europa League trophy won in May with a 3-0 final victory over Freiburg, and of the club's Champions League qualification. Evolving into a playmaking role under Unai Emery, the star had also swept the club's player of the season awards.

Maintaining his form at the World Cup, Tielemans scored the extra-time winner in the 3-2 comeback against Senegal in the Round of 32 on Belgium's journey to the quarterfinal. The star, whose career also includes the only goal of the 2021 FA Cup final, has a market value of around €30 million; the transfer fee has not yet been disclosed.

Source: The Athletic
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