Youri Tielemans spent four seasons at Leicester before moving to Aston Villa in 2023
Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans.
United have prioritised strengthening their midfield positions this summer, but have so far met with frustration after failing to sign first choice Elliot Anderson, who is joining Manchester City, and Mateus Fernandes, who opted to move to Tottenham Hotspur from West Ham.
The Old Trafford outfit did agree a £35m deal with Serie A club Atalanta for Brazil World Cup star Ederson but that deal has been scrapped for now.
Chelsea's Andrey Santos is understood to have had his medical before a £48m switch and further signings are anticipated.
United's only experienced orthodox central midfielder is Kobbie Mainoo, who is yet to feature in England's World Cup campaign.
BBC Sport has been told Tielemans' Villa contract contains a release clause, which makes negotiations easier, and that a deal is close.
The 29-year-old has been on United's radar for considerable time and has a wealth of Premier League experience, which the club feel is a significant positive.
Tielemans was a key figure in Belgium's run to the World Cup quarter-finals but was forced to pull out of the 2-1 defeat by Spain after suffering an injury in the warm-up.
Ederson made two appearances for Brazil at the World Cup
Speculation around the Ederson transfer collapsing has been swirling over the weekend after initial reports last week claimed there was a problem due to a knee injury.
The 27-year-old had a full medical after initial tests in the United States had flagged an area of concern.
Ederson flew to England for the required tests, which took place in the wake of Brazil's last-16 defeat by Norway. Specialists were involved and the outcome has led to United backing out.
However, sources say the transfer could be resurrected later in the summer depending how the window develops for United, although the club would not be prepared to sanction any move at the previously agreed terms.
While club officials say they are sympathetic to the player, they feel they have to act in the best interests of United.
It is being stressed the move for Santos, whose arrival is due to be announced early this week, was not triggered by the issues with Ederson.
Follow Manchester United on BBC Sounds
Pre-match, post-match and topical United content
Subscribe and listen for everything you love about the Red Devils
Ask our team a question about Man Utd's transfer business
Villa's Dobbin close to £9m Southampton move
Man Utd fans will get behind Lammens after World Cup error
Most clinical? Least creative? Best in the air? Comparing the last four
England outplayed by India in crushing Test defeat
Man Utd close to completing Tielemans deal
Conor and Jock are reunited for more craic-filled comedy
All the latest World Cup news, expert analyses and interviews
Watch every high-stakes, globe-spanning race from start to finish
Is technology ruining sport?
Most clinical? Least creative? Best in the air? Comparing the last four
BBC experts pick their England World Cup semi-final XI – do you agree?
'Out of this world!' – Best shots of Wimbledon 2026. Video
Borrowed shoes, no Golden Boot – the story of the World Cup's greatest scorer
'Animals', Hand of God and Beckham – Argentina and England's World Cup rivalry
BBC to show England's World Cup semi-final
England want new coach before Pakistan – who could it be?
Noskova, an astonishing Wimbledon fightback – and a kiss to the sky
'Finished' & 'career over' – is this the end for McGregor?
The man who invented a sport and played tennis with Willy Wonka
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
About the Author
