Aston Villa are set to lose Youri Tielemans this week after Manchester United triggered the £35million release clause in his contract.
According to a fresh update from ESPN and Sky Sports, United have activated the release clause and the Belgium international is already in Manchester to begin the first stage of his medical, with Michael Carrick pushing to have the deal wrapped up before his squad reconvenes for pre-season training. Villa were keen to keep the 29-year-old and, sources say, even offered fresh terms to try to change his mind, but Tielemans made clear he wanted the move to Old Trafford once the release clause was triggered.
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The move continues a busy summer in Manchester United’s midfield rebuild under Carrick. Tielemans is set to link up with Andrey Santos, whose £48million move from Chelsea was confirmed on Monday, as United reshape the middle of the park following their pursuit of Atalanta’s Éderson stalling over medical concerns.
For Villa, the exit leaves a gap in experience and composure that Unai Emery will need to address before the transfer window closes. Tielemans has been ever-present since United’s interest first advanced into serious talks earlier this week, and he leaves having been central to the club’s Europa League triumph and a standout World Cup with Belgium, scoring twice in the last-32 win over Senegal.
Villa have already moved to freshen up their own midfield options, agreeing terms with Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi after hijacking Newcastle United’s move for the Swiss international, but Tielemans’ departure is expected to sharpen Emery’s search for a further defensive-minded addition before deadline day.
