Long-term Arsenal transfer target is booked in to face the Gunners next season

Youri Tielemans has often been linked with Arsenal. However, he will now be lining up against the Gunners in a Manchester United shirt next season.

Fabrizio Romano posted on X: "United activate €41m release clause into Tielemans’ contract at Aston Villa, verbal agreement also with Belgian midfielder."

Arsenal's interest in Tielemans dates back to 2017, but the player chose to join AS Monaco from Anderlecht instead. For the midfielder, who was 20 at the time, first-team opportunities were more likely to come by in Ligue 1 than with the Gunners.

Tielemans went on to become a star for Leicester City, and he won them the FA Cup by scoring the winner in the final against Chelsea. In 2022, Arsenal came knocking again and agreed personal terms with Tielemans. However, the Gunners signed Fábio Vieira from FC Porto instead.

His contract with Leicester expired the following year, and he joined Villa. Tielemans has just won the Europa League with Villa, where he again scored in the final. Unai Emery's side also finished fourth in the Premier League, but it now does not appear likely that he will be able to take them any further.

Villa are losing Tielemans, and Morgan Rogers has also been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal. However, the Gunners may be priced out of Rogers, as Villa are valuing him at £130 million. If Emery's side continues to lose key players, then there is no chance they can better their fourth-placed finish of last season.

Manchester United will challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title

The Gunners are yet to strengthen their title-winning side. It is uncertain whether Rogers will join. He would solve Mikel Arteta's problem on the left wing. Leandro Trossard is set to join Besiktas, so Arsenal will need to recruit a top player who can make the left side their own.

Arsenal have also been linked with Bruno Guimaraes. However, Newcastle United are reluctant to sell their star Brazilian, especially after letting Sandro Tonali join Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners' rivals are strengthening; United have also signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea to further improve their midfield.

Michael Carrick did a fantastic job at United last season after taking over from Ruben Amorim. He guided the Red Devils to a third-placed finish, and they will be expected to challenge for the title next season. United have let go of Casemiro, but replaced him with younger legs in Tielemans and Santos.

Villa look to be a weaker side next season, whilst Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea will all be unknown quantities next season. The Reds, City and the Blues all have new managers, which will put them in a transition phase. Right now, it appears that United will be Arsenal's biggest threat for the title.

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