Manchester United youngster Demetri Mitchell is closing in on a return to Hearts, sources have told ESPN FC.
The 21-year-old played 11 games for the Scottish side during the second half of last season after leaving Old Trafford on loan in January.
He did enough to earn a place in Jose Mourinho's squad for the preseason tour of the United States but after finding opportunities limited at the start of the new campaign, he is set to rejoin Hearts on loan again until the end of the season.
Mitchell has made one senior appearance for United and was named under-23 player of the year last season.
He impressed at left-back, left wing-back and on the left wing in the U.S. in the summer but has slipped behind Luke Shaw and Ashley Young in the pecking order.
Daley Blind's departure to Ajax, Young's late return from the World Cup and injuries to Marcos Rojo and Diogo Dalot has delayed a decision on Mitchell's future.
But with Young now back, and Rojo and Dalot expected to be fully fit in two weeks, Mitchell will be allowed to move back to the Scottish Premiership before the transfer deadline on Aug. 31.
Hearts have started well this season with three wins from their first three games to sit top of the table.
Mitchell, an England youth international, will become the ninth player to leave United on loan this summer.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah joined Fulham while Axel Tuanzebe moved to Aston Villa. Goalkeepers Joel Pereira, Dean Henderson and Kieron O'Hara have all headed out to gain more first-team experience while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, James Wilson and Matty Willock have also left to find games.
