Aston Villa have announced the free agent signing of Youri Tielemans, confirming an agreement that will see him become a Villa player when his Leicester contract expires on July 1st.
The Belgian international was linked with a move for St James’ Park last summer, with Sky Sports revealing that we were discussing a deal for the midfielder leading up to deadline day.
Nothing came of it and the same happened in January, with The Athletic revealing that his ‘excessive wage’ demands scuppered any hopes of him arriving on Tyneside.
A few months on, he’s let his contract run down at Leicester and will sign at Villa Park once that expires in a few weeks time, becoming Unai Emery’s first arrival of the summer. A good player with bags of technical ability, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Eddie Howe was put off by his lack of mobility and downing of tools during the Foxes limp relegation battle.
Aston Villa ended the season in 7th, securing Europa Conference League football. With Tielemans arriving on a ‘free’, he’s expected to become one of their highest earners.
Club statement from Aston Villa:
Aston Villa is delighted to announce that the club has reached an agreement to sign Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian international will officially become a Villan on July 1 after his contract with Leicester City has expired.
Tielemans has played at the highest level throughout his career, with Anderlecht and Monaco among his former clubs, and he has most recently played in the Premier League at Leicester City, where his goal helped the Foxes win the FA Cup in 2021.
A regular for his country on the international stage, the 26-year-old has represented Belgium at World Cup tournaments in 2018 and 2022 and at UEFA Euro 2020.
I’d say clever signing improves there squad depth another quality option when needed on a free .100 grand a week over 4 years equates to 20 million especially if Emery ( top quality coach ) can get him anywhere near his best again and still only 26 best years could still be ahead of him not really much of a gamble.
Major Tom(Quote)
i would have to say a barging.
I did get the impression that he had down tools last season.
But when i looked at his season rating, he was still just above a average 7.
His wages mean nothing when you get players like him on a free.
Best of luck to the toon in europe next year.
peter powell(Quote)
As a Leicester fan I would say bullet dodged.
On loan for us from Monaco he was outstanding, at the end of the season he signed a permanent deal, The first season on a permanent deal I thought he must have an identical twin who had never played football as he was awful. Second season much better and showed some potential, the last 18 months he has been a passenger who looks like he is already on the beach. Reason for not extending his contract was that he wants Champions league football, fully expected to go to Arsenal but the deal never came through, due to his performances, no one came in for him last Summer or in the January window and looks like Villa the only UK team interested. Good for him as he does not need to worry about resettling anywhere as easily commutable from current home. No sour grapes from me as he won us the Fa cup with a spectacular goal but he is one of the reasons we are where we are now 🦊
Shentonfox(Quote)