Why Man Utd have edge in Tielemans transfer race
Suraj Radia
- 4 Oct 2022 22:35 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United could have the advantage in the race to sign Youri Tielemans with Leicester reportedly targeting one of Erik ten Hag’s fringe players as the midfielder’s replacement.
Tielemans could leave Leicester in January as he is out of contract next summer and reports have claimed that Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has identified Donny van de Beek as the ideal man to replace the Belgian.
Van de Beek has played just 19 minutes this season despite the arrival of former Ajax boss ten Hag and the Dutch midfielder could leave Old Trafford in search of first team football.
Leicester are strapped for cash and could look to broker a loan move with an option to buy for £13 million, while Tielemans could depart for £25m in January, with Arsenal and Newcastle among the teams looking to battle with United to sign the 25-year-old.
Inter Milan are also believed to be considering a move for Van de Beek but United have not given any indication that they are looking to sell the midfielder despite his lack of game time.
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Van de Beek struggling to impress Ten Hag
Van de Beek spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton but he failed to impress and only made seven appearances, while he has started just four games since joining United for £40m in 2020.
Van de Beek was hoping for a fresh start at United under Ten Hag but he has found himself behind the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro this season.
"IF DONNY VAN DE BEEK IS NOT PLAYING ON THURSDAY... IT'S OVER!"@markgoldbridge speculates why Donny van de Beek has been absent from recent #mufc squads
Do you think he'll leave in January? 👇 pic.twitter.com/3nE40P3tX6— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) October 4, 2022
Despite flourishing under his current boss at Ajax, Van de Beek has failed to replicate his best form during his time in England and Ten Hag challenged the 25-year-old to prove his worth earlier in the summer.
"It's the same for every player; he has to do it by himself," Ten Hag said. ”Me as manager and the coaching staff around him can do everything to set the right conditions so he can perform, but in the end, the player has to do it himself.
"They have to take responsibility for their performance. Donny has the capability and I have seen it [when at Ajax], but he has to prove himself."
