Man United closing in on Youri Tielemans amid Ederson deal collapse

Manchester United are in advanced negotiations to sign Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans, as the club scrambles to reinforce a thin midfield department this summer. The Belgium international, 29, has long been on United's radar and the Premier League experience he brings is seen as a major plus by the Old Trafford hierarchy. Sources confirm Tielemans' contract at Villa includes a release clause, which has streamlined discussions and pushed the two sides close to an agreement. United's midfield rebuild has hit several roadblocks. First-choice target Elliot Anderson is moving to Manchester City, while Mateus Fernandes chose Tottenham over United. A £35 million deal for Brazil international Ederson was agreed with Atalanta, but that move has collapsed after medical concerns over a knee issue. United pulled out after specialists reviewed tests taken following Brazil's World Cup last-16 exit to Norway, though sources insist the transfer could be revived later in the window — but only under different terms. In contrast, Chelsea's Andrey Santos has already passed a medical ahead of a £48 million move, which is expected to be announced early this week. United officials stress the Santos deal was always separate from the Ederson situation. Kobbie Mainoo remains United's only out-and-out central midfielder with senior experience, and he has yet to feature in England's World Cup campaign. The urgency to add bodies in the middle of the park is clear. Tielemans, a key figure in Belgium's run to the World Cup quarter-finals, missed the defeat to Spain after picking up an injury during the warm-up. That setback has not deterred United, who are now on the verge of bringing him in.