Report: Spurs hold transfer talks with midfielder’s agent claims respected journalist

Respected Belgian football journalist Kristof Terreur has claimed that both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have held talks between Youri Tielemans’ agent over a possible summer transfer.

The 22-year-old midfielder spent the last half of the campaign on loan from Leicester City from Monaco and impressed having scored three goals in thirteen appearances and chipped in with five assists.

Leicester are keen to tie up a permanent deal for the Belgian international and talks have already been held between both parties (Daily Star).

Tielemans joined Monaco from Anderlecht in May 2017 but has failed to hold down a regular first team place with the Ligue 1 side (Sky Sports).

Spurs look set to improve their midfield for next season after the sale of Mousa Dembele to China in January alone with the injury and illness issues of Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama put an added strain on Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks.

However, Terreur has warned that Monaco will not let Tielemans leave on the cheap following his impressive displays in the English top flight and could cost upwards of £40million.

Speaking to Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast, Terreur said: “There have been talks, the agent’s had talks with Spurs and Man United about him.

“Not sure he’s the first choice at both clubs either. Monaco, they want to sell him and get rid of him.

“He’s not in the plans of the manager. His good performances have done what they wanted, he’s now worth more than he was worth in January when they rated him already at £40m.

“He’s happy at Leicester, he enjoyed his time but it’s now the question if Leicester are going to spend most of their transfer budget on one player.

“Maybe if they sell Maguire to Manchester City or something they will have more money but it’s that question because Monaco will want a lot of money.

“It won’t be one that will be done in the early days of the transfer window, that one will be one for the last few weeks when clubs want the best price for him.

“If I was a Premier League club I would sign him, he’s special.”

Opinion

Tielemans has shown at Leicester this season that he could be an asset to Tottenham. The central midfield position is likely to be a focus of Mauricio Pochettino in the summer but whether he will be happy to spend upwards of £40million remains to be seen.