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Tielemans to Old Trafford
Manchester United completed the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m on a five-year deal, with the 29-year-old midfielder saying he wants to help “push for the biggest trophies”.
“Manchester United have completed the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa on a five-year deal”
The move follows United’s recruitment of Andrey Santos, who is 22, from Chelsea for £48m plus a possible £2m in add-ons, and United also signed goalkeeper Karl Darlow to provide competition for Senne Lammens.
Tielemans, who has 90 Belgium caps, led his nation at the World Cup where they lost 2-1 to Spain in Friday’s quarter-final, and he previously joined Leicester from Monaco in 2019 before moving to Villa on a free four years later.
United’s director of football Jason Wilcox said Tielemans has “consistently been one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League throughout the past seven years,” adding that his “consistency is exceptional” as the club builds for “the biggest honours”.
The BBC also reported United met a release clause of £35m for the 29-year-old, and that Tielemans will wear the number 18 shirt vacated by fellow midfielder Casemiro, who left Old Trafford when his contract expired at the end of the season.
Quotes and transfer context
Tielemans framed the move as a trophy push, telling reporters: “It’s hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United,” and adding that “we are all determined to push for the biggest trophies over the coming years”.
The Telegraph echoed that same ambition, quoting Tielemans saying, “The ambition from everyone at the club is extremely clear; we are all determined to push for the biggest trophies,” after United triggered his release clause at Aston Villa.
The Guardian set the World Cup context for the transfer, noting Tielemans led Belgium to the quarter-finals and that they lost 2-1 to Spain in Friday’s quarter-final.
Sky Sports reported United completed the signing for £35m from Aston Villa on a five-year deal, and said the 29-year-old becomes the second midfielder signed in the summer window after the club already confirmed the £50m arrival of Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
BBC coverage also linked the signing to United’s broader midfield activity, saying Tielemans’ arrival follows that of fellow midfielder Andrey Santos and goalkeeper Karl Darlow, while a move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been put on hold.
What United still want
Even after the Tielemans deal, United’s recruitment plans were still in motion, with football360.au saying United triggered Tielemans’ $67million AUD release clause and that they “still want three more arrivals”.
“Manchester United have signed FIFA World Cup midfielder Youri Tielemans from Premier League rivals Aston Villa but they are not done in the transfer market”
football360.au added that United still want “a third midfielder, a left winger and a forward” to strengthen their attack behind Benjamin Sesko, and it said Fabrizio Romano reported United have contacted the agent of Roma and France midfielder Manu Kone.
The BBC described how Tielemans’ signing follows United’s prioritising of the midfield areas this summer and said “At least one more midfielder is expected,” with the expectation that the next addition will be capable of having an impact in the Champions League.
Sky Sports’ analysis also pointed to the midfield shape, saying Tielemans is “more of a number eight” to compete with Kobbie Mainoo, while Santos is “a six,” and that “At least one more midfielder is expected” to occupy a deeper role.
Together, those reports place the immediate stakes on United’s next midfield move as they prepare for the 2026/27 season, with Tielemans joining after the club already confirmed Santos and Darlow and with Ederson’s move “put on hold” in the BBC’s account.
