Man United and Arsenal set to battle in the race to sign French wonderkid – Report

Tylel Tati, a 17-year-old French-Congolese defender born in 2008 and playing for FC Nantes, has garnered significant attention in European football after earning senior minutes in Ligue 1. His early performances have drawn scouts from top clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Brighton, Brentford, Aston Villa, Barcelona, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen, indicating his high potential in the transfer market.

On the field, Tati has demonstrated exceptional positional intelligence and composure, making six league appearances where he showcased versatility by playing in multiple roles such as left-back and defensive midfielder. He is noted for his ability to break up play, progress possession in tight areas, and adapt to his weaker side, highlighting a maturity beyond his years that aligns with the traits of a future breakout defender from France's football system.

FC Nantes is adopting a measured approach, prioritizing Tati's development and game time in various positions over a quick sale, which suggests a transfer is more likely in 2026 rather than 2024 or 2025. This timeline aims to ensure he becomes a ready-made asset for a Champions League-level project, with clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United showing keen interest but remaining cautious to avoid rushing the process.

For any club to successfully sign Tati, they must present a clear, structured role to prevent him from being overshadowed by high-profile signings, as seen in past cases with young defenders in England. Industry voices recommend building early relationships with Nantes, securing first refusal, or structuring deals that allow Tati to continue developing in France, emphasizing that patience and proper pathway planning are crucial, as demonstrated by successes like William Saliba and Lisandro Martínez.