Manchester United are reportedly emerging as favourites to sign a Premier League star destined to move on as a free agent this summer.
The Red Devils are enjoying an excellent of form under the management of Erik ten Hag, who has installed discipline and calmness to the club. That has helped fuel some serious improvements on the field with United currently third in the table.
The Premier League table since the resumption after the World Cup certainly makes for pleasing reading.
They host struggling Leeds United next on Wednesday looking for a 14th successive home win. And victory will see them move level on points with Manchester City, albeit having played a game more and having an inferior goal difference.
With the club looking well on track to qualify for the Champions League, Ten Hag will be able to put in place the next phase of his rebuilding programme. He spent around £216m last summer, bringing in six new faces. And a more modest January saw three new players arrive, with Marcel Sabizter the standout new addition.
Sabitzer looks likely to make a first start for the club against Leeds on Wednesday. And that’s probably just as well with Casemiro due to serve a suspension and in light of this chilling warning from the Austrian’s agent.
As such, Ten Hag is reportedly in the market to strengthen in three key positions. And his No 1 focus will surely be on a new big name strike to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Beyond that, Ten Hag also reportedly wants at least one new midfielder, while a new right-back is also likely to be on his agenda.
Man Utd ready to make fresh summer move for Youri Tielemans
To help fund such signings, reports over the weekend revealed the six names who will reportedly be shown the door.
Indeed, major changes will likely be made this summer with plenty of incomings and outgoings.
And with Scott McTominay among those seemingly destined to depart, Ten Hag may have room in his squad to make two midfield additions this summer.
To that end, the club are reportedly back in the mix to sign Leicester’s Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian has been mentioned as a potential target for some time with previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer among his admirers.
Indeed, they were among his suitors prior to his move to Leicester. Tielemans, though, is soon to be out of contract at the King Power and available to move as a free agent.
As such, interest in acquiring his services is growing all the time. The likes of Arsenal and Newcastle are among those keen.
However, journalist Ben Jacobs insists United are likely to be back in the mix.
United have double advantage in transfer chase
And he claims there are two factors in Ten Hag and possible Champions League qualification that give them a leg-up in the pursuit.
“I think that Tielemans was was not too sold on Manchester United under previous managers,” Jacobs told Givemesport. “But, with Erik ten Hag turning things around, if Manchester United qualify for the Champions League that could be a real option for them.
“If they lose a midfielder, they might feel like a box-to-box midfielder or an attacking midfielder, like Youri Tielemans.
“He could be the type of player that not only balances the books a little bit but can chip in with some goals and help add a little bit of control into central midfield. Manchester United and Arsenal are still two to watch.”
There’s no doubting that Tielemans would be a major upgrade on McTominay. A classy player, he would add an element of style and grace to the engine room.
Furthermore, if United can cash in on McTominay for around £25m – £30m and land Tielemans on a free, that would also make excellent business sense too.
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