The Frenkie de Jong transfer saga looks set to come to a frustrating end for Man United as the Red Devils look all but certain to miss out on the Dutch international midfielder, stripping the club of the chance to reunite new boss Erik ten Hag with a former lieutenant.
De Jong has shot down any interest in joining the English giants and if he does more to the Premier League, seems more aligned with a move to rivals Chelsea.
As such, Man United have reportedly placed Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans on their summer transfer shortlist at the request of Ten Hag according to CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs.
Man United’s interest in Tielemans is genuine, too, and growing. He’s a far cheaper and less complicated option than Frenkie de Jong. Erik ten Hag has put him on a midfield shortlist. Tielemans indicated under Ralf Rangnick he didn’t want to move to #MUFC but ten Hag may revisit.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 20, 2022
Tielemans was unwilling to consider a move to Old Trafford under Ralf Rangnick according to Jacobs but is said to be far more open to the idea of featuring under Ten Hag while presenting Man United with a far more affordable transfer target should any formal interest materialize.
Any legitimate interest in the former RSC Anderlecht academy graduate would squarely put them at odds with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, however, with the Gunners still linked with serious interest in the 25-year-old Belgian despite the business the north London outfit has already completed this window.
Arsenal would likely have to offload a midfielder or two before being in a position to make a formal approach for Tielemans, gifting Man United a window of opportunity if the Red Devils were to move quickly.
