According to reports from Goal, representatives from Chelsea and Manchester United both held third party discussions last week over possible moves for Belgian wonder-kid Youri Tielemans.
The 18 year-old has claimed back-to-back Young Player of the Year awards in the Belgian top flight since and last season amassed an impressive 52 appearances across all competitions, bagging eight goals.
The Anderlecht midfielder has produced even better form this term, netting thrice in nine Jupiler League outings, and the Belgian outfit are aware they can’t hold onto him for much longer.
He was linked with a move to Arsenal back in September but Goal claim it’s now essentially a head-to-head affair between Chelsea and Manchester United, after both clubs held talks with Tielemans’ representatives in London last week.
Both intend to bring the centre-mid to the Premier League next summer, but Goal believe Manchester United have the upper hand.
They claim Louis van Gaal’s willingness to field young players will be a huge factor for Tielemans, especially when compared to Chelsea’s youth policy of farming out prospects to gain value. The west Londoners currently have 34 players out on loan at other clubs.