Three players Aston Villa could sign to replace Youri Tielemans as Man United transfer advances
Youri Tielemans looks set to unexpectedly depart Aston Villa for Manchester United.
The update has come as a shock to Villa supporters, with the news coming out of the blue on Monday.
David Ornstein reported that Tielemans is in advanced talks with the Red Devils over a move to Old Trafford.
United are set to pay a fee of around £35million to prise Tielemans from Villa, whom he joined in the summer of 2023.
The 29-year-old has been a top performer at Villa Park, and will be extremely difficult to replace.
But Villa News has looked at three potential names who Unai Emery and his recruitment team might now turn their attentions to.
Lamine Camara - Monaco
Midfield was an area that was looking quite strong for Villa until a nightmare week.
Amadou Onana suffered a long-term knee injury as Belgium knocked United States out of the World Cup, and Tielemans' impending exit poses another issue.
Switzerland international Johan Manzambi is set to arrive on Freiburg, but even with the addition of 20-year-old, Villa probably now need more reinforcement.
Lamine Camara is a name that has been tenatively linked to Villa in the past, and the 22-year-old might be some the Villans could take a closer look at now.
He is the right age and profile Villa would be looking at, though interest from others in the Premier League, including Liverpool, might make this one tricky.
Mandela Keita - Parma
With one Belgian midfielder sidelined, and another one of the way out of the door, could Villa look to another to fill the void?
Mandela Keita only has one senior cap for Belgium's national team, but he is a player that Villa have been linked to this summer.
Leeds United and Everton are also said to be tracking the 24-year-old, who looks like he could be on the move away from Parma this window.
Villa do have the benefit of being able to offer Champions League football ahead of those teams, though, if they were to press ahead.
Pape Gueye - Villarreal
Another player who is attracting reported Premier League interest is Villarreal ace Pape Gueye.
The 27-year-old represented Senegal at the World Cup, and would be a player who could enjoy the physicality and pace of the Premier League.
Everton have been prominently linked with a move for the former Marseille man, as they look to add more options in the centre of the park.
But, again, the lure of Champions League football could offer one potential bargaining chip for Villa should they look to pursue a move.