Youri Tielemans has admitted that he wants to play in the Champions League after Manchester United set their sights on signing a player in his position during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have been linked to a host of midfielders including the 24-year-old, whose contract at Leicester City expires in June 2023. His situation means that the Foxes would have to sell this summer in order to recoup some of the £35million they paid Monaco for his signature in 2019, a club-record fee at the time.
Tielemans, currently on international duty with Belgium, has opened up on the transfer speculation and told Het Laatste Nieuws : "I don't worry about it [speculation]. I want to get the most out of myself this season and finish as high as possible with the team. Of course, I want to play in the Champions League, just like any footballer. Am I ready for a European top club? I'm ready to get the best out of my career. We'll see what happens next summer, or the summer after that."
The playmaker's comments put pressure on United to qualify for Europe's elite competition next season by finishing fourth in the Premier League this campaign. Ralf Rangnick 's side sit four points and two places behind Arsenal, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot and boast a game in hand on the Red Devils.
It has been reported by the Manchester Evening News that United see central midfield as their priority for the summer and Declan Rice is the club's No.1 target. However, given West Ham United 's £100million-plus valuation, the Red Devils may have to seek an alternative, with Leicester languishing in 10th place after two successive Europa League finishes.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers recently provided an update on Tielemans' future after their 2-2 draw with West Ham in February. "He's a fantastic player and there's been no movement whatsoever, he's a player who has continued to work and is working well," Rodgers explained.
Join the debate! Would Tielemans be a good signing for Man Utd? Comment your verdict below.
"'Till the last day he's here whether that's at the end of the contract or summer or beyond that, he will always give his best because he's a top professional and he showed his commitment today. There's interest trying to be generated by other people."
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, whose former club have also been tagged with interest, reckons that the former Anderlecht prodigy is a Champions League-level player, adding: "He's playing for Belgium, one of the best teams in the world. I expect him to leave in the summer."
At the beginning of the season, Tielemans was coy on his future plans, telling Sky Sports : "There's no update really. I'm open to everything. The transfer market has just closed, but I want to keep as many options as I can open. As long as I'm here I will give everything for the club.
"I've already done so, but I will do so even more. The contract situation is just something that is going on in football, it's a normal situation. There are talks going on - I'm not saying I'm going to sign, I'm not saying I'm not going to sign. We will see."
