Leicester City have confirmed Youri Tielemans is one of seven players to be released this summer.
The Foxes suffered a heartbreaking relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season just seven years on from defying the odds to win the title. Leicester drop into the Championship with the highest wage bill in the league's history but have taken steps to reduce it by releasing Tielemans as well as Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Ryan Bertrand, Ayoze Perez and Tete.
Though he didn't enjoy a great season in a struggling team, a midfielder of Tielemans' quality is bound to attract a lot of interest given he is now available on a free transfer. Manchester United have long been admirers of the Belgian and have been linked with a possible move this summer.
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Erik ten Hag is looking to bolster his midfield options after becoming reliant on Christian Eriksen and Casemiro this past season. United's quality levels visibly dropped when one of the duo didn't play, with the side's lack of strength in depth laid bare.
Additionally, as Eriksen, Casemiro and Fred are all in their 30s, the manager also wants to inject some youthfulness into the middle of the park. United have already made moves to do so by agreeing personal terms with Chelsea star Mason Mount.
MEN Sport understands the 24-year-old's representatives, his father Tony and agent Neil Fewings, have held advanced discussions with United but there is no agreement between the clubs on a fee as of yet.
Despite United's move for Mount, there may be room for additional recruitment in midfield with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Fred and Scott McTominay. Given United's budgetary restraints amid the protracted takeover, a move for free agent Tielemans may be an attractive proposition.
United considered a move for the 26-year-old after he impressed on an initial loan spell at Leicester in 2019 but the Foxes won the race to sign him on a permanent deal from Monaco for around £32million.
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