The Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans has announced he is leaving the King Power Stadium at the end of his contract this month after years of speculation over his potential next move
Aston Villa have emerged as the bookmakers’ favourites to sign departing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian has already confirmed his exit from City at the end of his contract this month, leaving the King Power Stadium after four-and-a-half years.
For at least two seasons there has been speculation over his next move, with Arsenal and Newcastle the most prominently-linked Premier League sides. But now Aston Villa have become the bookies’ favourites to clinch his signature on a free transfer, with odds of 6/5 with bet365 for Villa Park to be his next home.
Tielemans has long wanted to move to a Champions League club, having first appeared in Europe’s top competition aged just 16, but Villa would at least offer him a route back onto the continental stage, with Unai Emery’s side qualifying for the Europa Conference League.
After Villa, Newcastle are the next likeliest club to sign the 26-year-old, followed by Jose Mourinho’s Roma, and then long-time suitors Arsenal. Also listed are Liverpool, Brighton, Galatasaray, Borussia Dortmund, Spurs, and newly-promoted Premier League outfit Burnley.
Attracting interest from around Europe, AC Milan and Juventus have also been named among the clubs considering an offer for Tielemans.
If he was to go to Villa, he could link up with current City team-mate Harvey Barnes there. The winger is expected to be sold this summer as City deal with the ramifications of dropping to the Championship, with Barnes among their most valuable assets, his sale likely to be used to fund a rebuild.
Villa are also the favourites with bet365 to sign Barnes, who finished as City’s top scorer this season with 13 goals. Newcastle and West Ham are next on the bookmakers’ list for the England international.
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