Aston Villa to sign Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United?

Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a loan deal to sign young defender Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United.

The 20-year-old has featured just three times for Jose Mourinho's side this season and has been courted by a number of Championship sides for a temporary switch this month.

According to the The Express, Mourinho is reluctant to let Tuanzebe go but has conceded that the youngster needs to secure regular minutes in the second half of the campaign to further his development.

The newspaper claims that Steve Bruce's Villa have won the race for his signature and hope to have a deal wrapped up by this weekend in time for their next Championship game - away at Sheffield United - on Tuesday night.

The Villans are currently fourth in the Championship table, just three points off the automatic promotion places.