Allardyce hails Tielemans as an 'absolute bargain' after Manchester United's £35m signing

Sam Allardyce has lavished praise on Manchester United’s signing of Youri Tielemans, describing the £35m midfielder as an “absolute bargain” and a near-perfect piece of transfer business. The former England manager rated the deal a 9/10, pointing to the Belgian’s wealth of Premier League and international experience.

“Oh, absolute bargain, [a] steal,” Allardyce said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast alongside Kevin Nolan and Natalie Pike. “Experience coming out of his ears, both internationally and in the Premier League, at Leicester, Aston Villa. He’s definitely a nine based on the whole package of experience of what he’s got. If anything, he lacks a bit of pace but his brain, his intelligence, his quality on the ball.”

Nolan echoed the sentiment, pushing the rating even higher. “I think price-wise, everything that comes with him, I think it’s got to be probably strong nine, 10,” the former Bolton midfielder said. “I think that’s the closest to a 10 I’d give because of everything he brings.”

Allardyce also turned his attention to Aston Villa’s role in the deal, marvelling at the profit they generated on a player they originally acquired on a free transfer from Leicester City. “You’ve got to remember, this is £35m profit because he’s on a free,” he said. “How could Leicester have let him go on a free? Just let him run out of contract, let him go on a free. I mean, it’s just unbelievable.”

Tielemans is one of three summer arrivals under manager Michael Carrick, joining Andrey Santos — who cost £50m — and goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who arrived on a free transfer. The 29-year-old featured regularly during pre-season and played 67 minutes in United’s Premier League opener against Hull City, a game the Reds lost 2-0.

Carrick was measured in his response to that defeat, insisting the result would not derail the club’s early momentum. “It’s just one game, we’re disappointed we haven’t won. It’s not more than that, it’s not less than that,” he said. “We’ve got to soak it up and come back stronger. The calmness doesn’t mean there’s no emotion in it, for sure.”