Manchester United are engaged in advanced negotiations to secure the signature of Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Strengthening the midfield has been a primary objective for United this summer. However, the club has faced several setbacks in their recruitment efforts, including missing out on primary targets Elliot Anderson, who is heading to Manchester City, and Mateus Fernandes, who chose Tottenham Hotspur over West Ham.
While the Old Trafford club had previously reached a £35m agreement with Atalanta for Brazilian international Ederson, that move has since been abandoned.
In other developments, Chelsea’s Andrey Santos has reportedly undergone a medical ahead of a £48m transfer, with more reinforcements expected to follow.
Currently, Kobbie Mainoo serves as United’s only experienced traditional central midfielder, having yet to make an appearance for the England national team during their recent World Cup campaign.
According to reports from BBC Sport, Tielemans’ current contract with Aston Villa includes a release clause, a factor that has streamlined negotiations and brought the clubs close to a final agreement.
The 29-year-old has long been a target for United. The club views his extensive Premier League experience as a vital asset for their squad.
Tielemans played a crucial role in Belgium’s progression to the World Cup quarter-finals, though an injury sustained during the pre-match warm-up prevented him from participating in their 2-1 loss against Spain.
