INEOS chiefs triggered a bargain release clause to secure the Belgian playmaker, who snubbed Saudi interest to spearhead Michael Carrick’s midfield overhaul following a quarter-final exit.
Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign midfielder Youri Tielemans for a fee in the region of £35 million.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed three years at Aston Villa during the club's most prolific period in recent history and has competed in the Champions League, a competition the Reds are returning to next season.
Tielemans is thought to be worth much more than the £35 million fee agreed, but the INEOS recruitment team exploited the release clause in his contract and moved quickly to secure the bargain transfer.
Tielemans told his camp that he wanted to wait until Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup before he committed his future, and he's followed up on his word after his national side were beaten by Spain in the quarter finals late last week.
Tielemans always wanted United
United have been in the market for several midfielders, after the departure of fan favourite Casemiro, who chose not to renew his contract.
It was thought that Manuel Ugarte would also leave this summer after he failed to break into the starting eleven, but his injury during Uruguay's World Cup campaign has ruled him out of action for the foreseeable future, and has ruled a potential transfer out as well.
After the collapsed deal for Atalanta's Ederson due to a suspected meniscus injury, and the completed signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million plus add-ons, Christopher Vivell and his recruitment team are looking for more midfielders to overhaul the midfield.
Belgian midfielder Tielemans has become the second midfielder to join the club as of this morning, and his medical will be completed tomorrow morning.
According to Ben Jacobs, the 29-year-old told United that he wanted to join Michael Carrick's side after his international duties concluded, and despite interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, United was always the preferred destination.
Jacobs also reported that Aston Villa wanted to agree a new contract with Tielemans this summer, but he pursued a move away from Birmingham before a contract offer was tabled.
Tielemans will likely be officially announced as the second signing of the summer transfer window, alongside Santos, after his medical is completed tomorrow morning.
How can Tielemans influence the midfield?
As previously mentioned, United are amid a midfield overhaul follwoing the departure of star player Casemiro, and have been linked with several names.
Elliot Anderson was reported as the Red's top target, but they were priced out of a move after Nottingham Forest set the £100 plus price-tag for the midfielder, Manchester City subsequently secured his signature.
Secondary targets Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes were also deemed too expensive for United, and Tottenham Hotspur forked over £180 million for the pair.
Tielemans was considered a sensible option, being Premier League proven and having played a at the top level for ten years now.
He will likely be utilised in rotation with Kobbie Mainoo, as both players are very similar in play-styles, but Carrick will surely not want to sacrifice the 21-year-old's playtime, as he's developed into a key player amongst the squad.
Tielemans is a complete midfielder, he operated as a roaming playmaker for Unai Emery's Aston Villa, and facilitated play in the opposition half to a high standard, creating 1.52 chances and recording 2.27 touches in the opposition box per 90 last season, putting him around the 80th percentile in the Premier League.
He offers a range of experience that United will need throughout next season, with one of the most imperative domestic and European campaigns on the horizon, his influence will be vital.
