Manchester United target Youri Tielemans will not sign a new contract with Leicester City, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Lowdown: United confident
The Red Devils are after a marquee midfield addition in the summer and now have Tielemans on their radar after looking at West Ham’s Declan Rice and Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips.
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Reports in recent days from The Mirror suggest that United are confident that a deal can be done with the Foxes for Tielemans in the region of £40m.
He will be into the final 12 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium in the summer and won’t be penning fresh terms under Brendan Rodgers.
The Latest: Romano’s post
Romano took to Twitter on Friday evening to provide a major update on Tielemans’ future. He revealed that a new deal has been rejected by the Belgium international, who is wanted by ‘many top clubs’.
The journalist tweeted: “I’ve been told Youri Tielemans will NOT extend his contract with Leicester. New deal bid has been turned down – current one expires in 2023. Of course Youri will be professional, he’s focused on Leicester. Many top clubs want him for June.”
The Verdict: Smart target?
Tielemans is primarily a central midfielder who can also play in a defensive or attacking midfield role. He has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt and also appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £49.5m.
The 24-year-old has been Leicester’s best-performing player in the Premier League this season according to WhoScored, recording a better average match rating than the likes of Scott McTominay and Fred.
On that basis, a cut-price £40m deal for less than his market valuation could be a shrewd move, but it seems as if United may face competition for his services.
In other news: Source claims Man Utd now lead Everton in race for ‘phenomenal’ 6 ft 4 defender; he’s ‘the future’
