Youri Tielemans ‘undergoing Aston Villa medical’ as free transfer agreed

Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign central midfielder Youri Tielemans on a free transfer.

The 26-year-old is said to be undergoing a medical ahead of officially joining Villa once his Leicester City contract expires on July 1. As first reported by The Athletic, the deal is agreed with a medical now taking place, as Tielemans is “on the cusp” of being Unai Emery’s first signing of the summer transfer window.

Tielemans spent four-and-a-half years in the Premier League with Leicester, establishing himself as one of their best players as they won the FA Cup and Community Shield, as well as playing in Europe. Villa qualifying for European football will likely have been key to persuading the midfielder to sign.

The signing is an impressive one for Villa, who reportedly faced competition from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Roma and AC Milan for his signature. The midfielder will bring leadership qualities too, having captained Leicester on numerous occasions.

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As Leicester unsuccessfully battled against relegation under former Villa boss Dean Smith, the manager made Tielemans’ personality qualities clear. “I’m completely comfortable with his commitment,” he said. “I’ve seen nothing but a committed player in and around the training ground and on the pitch.

“You have to remember our first game against Man City he was coming back from an injury having been out five or six weeks but was committed to play that game to get himself up to speed as quickly as he could. He’s still playing catch up a little bit but he’s got qualities that we need in the team.