According to the Daily Express’ Luke Gardener, Newcastle and Aston Villa are now battling to complete to loan signing of highly-rated Man Utd defender Axel Tuanzebe.
The Mail confirmed our interest in the England U-21 international earlier this week, with Bruce keen to be reunited with the man he signed on loan at Villa Park last summer.
Now, Gardener claims Man Utd have sanctioned a loan move away for the defender, but it seems we face competitions from former club Aston Villa – the league’s big spenders after 12 summer signings and over £130m spent!
Tuanzebe can play at both right-back and centre-back, meaning his versatility could come in highly useful, whether we opted for a back four or back five as we have done over pre-season.
That said, I have my doubts that he’d get much game time in a five-man defence when everyone is fit. After all, he’s not a ‘wing-back’ and seems unlikely to get in the team ahead of Lascelles, Schar, Dummett or Lejeune.
With that in mind, it would not surprise me if a move to newly promoted Aston Villa is the preferred option – both from his and Man U’td perspective.
Not only will he know the club and the area well after spending the entire 2018/19 season at Villa Park, he may feel he’s more likely to gain regular game time.
One to watch, but I’d be surprised if we brought him in myself.
You haven’t factored the Bruce factor in there, mucka. He’s a big fan of Axel who, actually, could compete with Schar. Versatile defender and excellent on the ball.
Hope he comes back to Villa though.
Best of luck for the season. Steve Bruce received a lot of criticism at Villa. Most of it totally undeserved. I found him to be calm and intelligent but maybe lacking at times in a plan c or d.
A Matheson(Quote)
I can’t see him coming to Villa as we are over stocked in defence now. He is a very good defender for anyone who signs him
Sidcowanslovechild(Quote)
Can’t see him coming back to Villa unless there’s an option to buy.
BS(Quote)