Manchester United close in on Youri Tielemans signing as Ederson move stalls and Andrey Santos deal confirmed
A £35m release clause has opened the door for the 29-year-old Belgian captain to switch from Aston Villa to Old Trafford, with the deal for Atalanta's Ederson on hold after a late World Cup call-up.
Transfer negotiations
Jason Wilcox, Manchester United's director of football, is in advanced talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Youri Tielemans. The 29-year-old midfielder has a release clause in the region of £35m in a contract that runs until June 2028, making personal terms straightforward once Villa's position is settled. Multiple sources indicate a verbal agreement is close.
Failed move for Ederson
United had already struck a £39m (€45.5m) fee and personal terms with Atalanta for Brazilian defensive midfielder Ederson. Initial medical tests were completed before a late call-up to Brazil's World Cup squad interrupted the process. Complications during the second round of post-tournament medical checks caused the deal to stall, with the club now pivoting to Tielemans. Some reports suggest the Ederson transfer may still be revisited later in the window, though that is uncertain.
Midfield overhaul at Old Trafford
Manager Michael Carrick has made midfield strengthening the priority after Casemiro's summer departure and a knee ligament injury to Manuel Ugarte sustained in Uruguay's group-stage loss to Spain at the World Cup. The only experienced orthodox central midfielder left is Kobbie Mainoo. United already missed out on primary targets Elliot Anderson (who joined Manchester City) and Mateus Fernandes (who chose Tottenham Hotspur). Last week they agreed a £48m plus £2m add-ons deal for Chelsea's Andrey Santos, who has completed his medical, and the club expect further additions.
- Manchester United agree £39m fee and personal terms with Atalanta for Ederson.
- A late call-up to Brazil's squad interrupts the transfer and delays medical checks.
- Andrey Santos completes his medical ahead of a £48m + £2m move from Chelsea.
- Post-tournament medical results cause United to abandon the Ederson deal for now.
- Jason Wilcox opens advanced talks with Aston Villa over Tielemans and his £35m release clause.
- Multiple outlets report that a transfer for Tielemans is close to completion.
Tielemans on the pitch
Tielemans has 90 Belgium caps and captained his country to the World Cup quarter-finals, scoring twice in a 3-2 comeback win over Senegal in the round of 32. He missed Friday's 2-1 defeat to Spain after picking up a hamstring strain in the warm-up. At club level, he arrived at Villa on a free transfer from Leicester City in 2023 and made 35 appearances in 2025-26, contributing two goals and seven assists as Unai Emery's side qualified for the Champions League and won the Europa League.
- Tielemans (release clause)
- 35 £m
- Ederson (stalled)
- 39 £m
- Andrey Santos
- 50 £m
Villa's dilemma
Losing Tielemans would be a blow, especially with Amadou Onana out for a significant spell after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at the World Cup. Emery had planned to build around a midfield three of Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara and Onana, but that plan is now in doubt. Villa are working to reinforce by signing Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for a reported £49m.
