De Laet In Norwich Medical

Skysports.com understands Norwich are closing in on the loan signing of Manchester United defender Ritchie de Laet.

De Laet impressed during loan spells with Championship trio Preston, Sheffield United and Portsmouth last season.

The 22-year-old is highly-rated at Old Trafford and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes a loan spell in the Premier League is the next stage in the defender's development.

A number of clubs are believed to have expressed an interest in signing De Laet, but Norwich look set to win the race for his signature.

Canaries boss Paul Lambert is thought to be a big admirer of the Belgium international and is keen to bring him to Carrow Road.

The Premier League new boys have lined up a season-long loan deal for De Laet and if the former Stoke man seals the move he will become Norwich's fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of James Vaughan, Steve Morison and Elliott Bennett.