EXCLUSIVE By Editor Wayne Veysey

Aston Villa are in advanced talks to re-sign Manchester United utility player Axel Tuanzebe on loan, Football Insider sources understands.

The England Under-21 international spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa and impressed Villa boss Steve Bruce.

Tuanzebe is highly-rated at Old Trafford, but United feel he would benefit by going out on loan again to get valuable first-team football to continue his development.

A well placed source has told Football Insider that a number of clubs have expressed an interest in taking Tuanzebe on loan, but Villa are in pole position to land the versatile performer and a deal is close to completion.

Tuanzebe made only five appearances in the Championship for Villa last season with injuries and a settled side stopping him from making more outings.

The 20-year-old has featured for Manchester United in pre-season this summer, but he is still well down the pecking order in Jose Mourinho’s first-team plans when the United boss has a full squad to choose from.

Villa are set to be restricted to loan signings before the close of the transfer window and Tuanzebe’s versatility in that he can play at centre-back, right-back and defensive midfield appeals to Bruce as he looks to strengthen his squad.

In other Aston Villa news, their bitter rivals have made an approach to sign a 26-year-old member of Steve Bruce’s squad and a deal is now likely.