Anderlecht sporting director confirms next club of Manchester City target Youri Tielemans

Anderlecht starlet Youri Tielemans will complete a €25m deal to join newly-crowned Ligue 1 champions Monaco in the coming days, according to the Belgian side’s sporting director.

Tielemans had been closely linked with a move to Manchester City and was thought to be one of Pep Guardiola’s main targets for the summer transfer window but it appears that Monaco have beaten City again – this time to the signing of one of the world’s best prospects.

Speaking to Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, Herman van Holsbeeck (Anderlecht’s sporting director) confirmed Tielemans’ departure and cited how the deal would be a record sale for his club.

“The transfer fee will be €25m (£21.6m) plus bonuses involved. Medical tests have been scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday. Monaco is the ideal club for Youri. Youri really wanted to go to a club where the coach would love to work with him” said van Holsbeeck.

Van Holsbeeck also implied that City expressed interest in the midfielder last summer, and quoted Tielemans’ thoughts on moving to Manchester.

“Last season, he said to me: “I won’t go to Manchester where I am just another number on a list.”

Tielemans could replace Fabinho at Monaco, with the Brazilian reportedly close to becoming City’s first signing of what is expected to be a hectic summer of transfer dealings at the Etihad.

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