Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans has opened up about his future amid interest from Manchester United.
The Belgian international has been in great form since joining the Foxes on loan from AS Monaco in January. As a result, the 2016 Premier League champions are keen to secure his services on a permanent basis in the upcoming summer transfer window.
However, they will face stiff competition from Manchester United, who are ready to splash the cash on the £40 million-rated midfielder -as reported by Daily Mail.
Why Manchester United need to sign Tielemans
It has been a topsy-turvy campaign for Manchester United under Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer so far. While the Red Devils enjoyed a rich vein of form early on, the lack of resources in midfield has become a real issue for the Norwegian, of late.
Additionally, the likes of Nemanja Matic and Fred have continued to underperform, thus accentuating the need for a new face in the midfield department. Tielemans, in that regard, could be a fascinating option for the Premier League giants.
The former Anderlecht prodigy is known for his work-ethic in midfield, which is coupled with his ability to circulate possession. The defensive qualities are also present in Tielemans’ overall gameplay as the Belgian had started his career as a defensive midfielder.
His ability to have an impact in the final third while also tending to his defensive responsibilities will come as a major relief for someone like Pogba who has more often than not seen the bulk of the creative work thrust upon him with the likes of Herrera, McTominay, Matic or Fred failing to have any tangible contribution in attack on days Pogba is off his game.
From a tactical perspective, Tielemans can be utilized as a partnering midfielder to Matic or Scott McTominay in the double pivot, with Pogba operating as a number ten. Alternatively, he can feature alongside the Frenchman in the half-spaces in a 4-3-3 shape, much like Liverpool’s diamond formation.
However, what makes Tielemans such an appealing target is his £40million valuation, which is basically a snip in the market for a club as big as United. Therefore, the Belgian could turn out to be a cheaper alternative to Solskjaer’s other transfer targets this summer.
And at the age of 21, he will definitely serve as a long-term prospect for the Red Devils as they embark on a new era under the tutelage of Solskjaer next season.