Preparations for many clubs ahead of the 2026/27 campaign have already begun, meaning that those players who make it all the way to Sunday's FIFA showpiece are unlikely to join up with their teammates until at least three weeks into pre-season.
Tielemans is the perfect replacement for Casemiro
For Youri Tielemans, the latest news would suggest that he could be pitching up at Man Utd's Carrington training ground headquarters soon enough, with the Red Devils confident of sealing a deal for the 29-year-old Aston Villa man.
The Belgian helped his country get all the way to the quarter-finals this year, where, in the end, they were beaten by one of the pre-tournament favourites, Spain, who subsequently progressed to a semi-final against France.
For United, once they get their man, it will bring to an end the search for a midfielder that they've craved desperately since Casemiro left the club, and Manuel Ugarte was injured for the long term.
After losing out on both Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, who moved to Man City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, there would've been a worry that, despite a clear resurgence under Michael Carrick, and the promise of Champions League football in 2026/27, Man Utd still weren't an attractive enough proposition under the Geordie.
Villa powerless after £35m release clause met
Villa clearly weren't at all interested in selling a player who was instrumental in their charge to Europa League glory last season.
However, the existence of a £35m release clause meant that they were powerless to prevent any other clubs from tempting the 29-year-old to leave Villa Park.
With it understood that personal terms have already been agreed with the player, it only seems to be a matter of time before the Red Devils can unveil Tielemans, just days after announcing the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
Known for his passing range and incredible goals, what can the Belgian bring to a Red Devils midfield?
Impressive pass completion
During the time spent with Villa, Tielemans managed to score 10 goals and provide 24 assists in 134 appearances in all competitions. He also rattled the woodwork on three other occasions.
Although he'll almost certainly be expected to improve upon that total whilst with United, his output is more than reasonable.
His total of seven fast breaks in the past three seasons was only surpassed by Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen and Morgan Rogers, all of whom play further forward than Tielemans.
In terms of passes played that ended in the final third of the pitch, no one came close to the Belgian's 1,584, of which 1,200 found their target for an impressive 75.76% pass completion.
"There is always a message in the pass," the midfielder was once quoted as saying to reporters.
"You do not have to force silly passes, but you do have to find the right balance between playing forward and playing sideways or backwards. I try to look forward as much as possible."
Tielemans' role will free up Bruno Fernandes
Only Ezri Konsa made more than Tielemans' 4,781 total passes, and with 4,111 finding their target, the Belgian can be more than satisfied with an overall pass completion of 85.99%.
Importantly, he also created 137 chances, which was only bettered by Rogers' 144.
In a midfield where Bruno Fernandes is going to play a more forward role, having a player such as Tielemans behind him with that kind of pass output and accuracy is going to be manna from heaven for the Portuguese, who has often had to drop back and do the donkey work himself.
159 corners taken was the most by any Villa player in the time that the Belgian has been at the club, and his 25.32% accuracy is in keeping with the output of others who have shouldered that particular responsibility.
Konsa and Pau Torres were the only players to have made more possession passes than Tielemans' 5,016, and the Spaniard edged the midfielder's 211 successful long passes; however, no one could match the 29-year-old's total of 60 through balls played.
Battling qualities and elite-level experience
Perhaps just as importantly for Carrick is the knowledge that Tielemans' battling qualities will serve the team well.
During his time at the club, the midfielder attempted 876 one-on-one duels, which were only surpassed by the totals of John McGinn, Watkins and Rogers. However, Tielemans' 55.37% success was far in excess of his colleagues.
129 aerial duels attempted, and 385 ball recoveries are also an indication of the excellence in his all-round game.
With his elite-level experience to boot, Man Utd are bagging themselves a summer bargain.