Manchester United 'close in on sealing shock return for veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton'

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of goalkeeper Tom Heaton on a free transfer this summer, according to reports.

Heaton, who is set to leave Aston Villa at the end of the season, began his career in the youth ranks at Old Trafford and now looks set to seal a return.

The Telegraph claim that United have moved to bring in Heaton, 35, with current back-up option Sergio Romero expected to depart.

Veteran Heaton did not make a first-team appearance for United before joining Cardiff in 2010 - and has since gone on to also play for Bristol City and Burnley.

The one-time England international will act as a deputy for Dean Henderson and David de Gea, who are both jostling with each other for the No 1 jersey.

Heaton switched to Villa for a fee of £8million in 2019 and his two-year deal will run down at the end of the campaign.

With Emiliano Martinez catching the eye for the Midlands outfit, Heaton has struggled for game time - and the stopper also suffered a cruciate ligament injury.

However, having fully recovered, Heaton is fit to play and now able to speak to other clubs about penning a pre-contract agreement.

The same Telegraph report states that United have acted 'swiftly' to secure themselves a trustworthy option behind first-team regulars De Gea and Henderson.

Romero, meanwhile, was frozen out under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has attracted interest from a number of clubs in Serie A.

The former Sampdoria man has an Italian passport, making any move to the top-flight a smooth process, and may even reunite with ex-United boss Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho, who was recently unveiled in a surprise move as Roma's new coach, has been touted to snap up Romero as a result of their successful time together.

It is believed, however, that Romero, an Argentina international, will have no shortage of potential suitors when the transfer window opens.