According to reports in Belgium, as per Nieuwsblad, Manchester United have expressed an interest in signing AS Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans before the January transfer window closes.
The midfielder, who emerged on the world football stage after captaining Anderlecht aged 19 against United in 2017,joined the Ligue 1 outfit prior to the start of last season.
Things haven’t planned out like he would have imagined in France, with Monaco having a disastrous campaign slipping to 19th in Ligue 1 after sacking France legend Thierry Henry just over three months after handing him the job.
But Nieuwsblad believe United are looking into the possibility of signing the 21-year-old midfielder on a loan deal, potentially handing the Belgium international an escape route from the Monaco nightmare.
On Monday, Sky Sports ran a report on Leicester City being in talks with Monaco over a £20 million deal for Tielemans.
United haven’t been busy with transfer activity this month and it would be a surprise if any players came in between now and the end of January, though a loan deal of this nature would be too good to turn down.
It could be a good opportunity to take a look at Tielemans rather than spending millions and running a risk with an unproven player, but Monaco won’t want to lose one of their stars when they face a relegation battle between now and the end of the season. Lose him now and they run the risk of not finding a replacement in time with only days left before the transfer window shuts.
Tielemans would offer another option in midfield and give a boost to competition for places. And, if it didn’t work out, we could call quits at the end of the season with him headed back to France.
The player should see it as an opportunity to make his grade in the Premier League with United, while also getting away from the drama currently at Monaco.