Manchester United have triggered the £35m release clause in Youri Tielemans’ Aston Villa contract and are set to complete the signing this week.
The Belgium midfielder is travelling to Manchester for the first part of his medical, with a long-term deal to follow. Fabrizio Romano reports the 29-year-old is excited about the move.
David Ornstein broke news of advanced talks on Monday morning, and United activated the clause, worth €41m, within hours. Villa were unable to block the deal or negotiate a higher fee.
Manchester United trigger £35m clause to land Villa’s Tielemans
The move follows the collapse of United’s pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ederson last week. United requested additional medical tests on the Brazilian after the World Cup and subsequently withdrew, despite having agreed a package worth around £34m.
Michael Carrick has been left short in midfield this summer. Casemiro left at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte suffered knee ligament damage at the World Cup and faces a lengthy spell out.
Tielemans made 47 appearances for Villa last season, offering composure in possession, range of passing and set-piece quality. United regard £35m as good value for a player with more than 200 Premier League games behind him.
Unai Emery had intended to build his midfield around Tielemans, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara. Onana ruptured his ACL at the World Cup, and Villa will now need at least two additions in the position.
The player is understood to favour the switch, with Champions League football on offer at Old Trafford. A verbal agreement was reached quickly once United moved.
He becomes United’s second summer signing, with Andrey Santos’ £50m move from Chelsea also agreed and awaiting announcement.
I’ll keep to this register going forward: facts first, no interpretive scene-setters opening paragraphs, and no summarising editorial lines dressed as transitions.
