A few days after The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards revealed that Axel Tuanzebe could become Steve Bruce’s first summer signing, new reports from Manchester now suggest the defender is edging closer to a temporary move to Tyneside.
MEN reporter Jonathan Shrager claims that we are leading the race for the centre-back’s signature, with the 23-year-old expected to leave Man Utd on loan ahead of the imminent arrival of Raphael Varane.
Tuanzebe played under Steve Bruce during a spell at Aston Villa and possesses the sort of pace and athleticism our ageing back line is badly lacking – making him a potentially ideal loan target.
Here’s what Shrager had to say about his future late on Tuesday night, followed by some interesting reactions from Red Devils fans:
His best season at senior level was with Steve Bruce at Aston villa so going on loan to a club where the manager trusts him is huge. Hopfully they dont sack Bruce midway the season.
Just loan deal. I really think there is more to come from this man.
Great move. I do believe there’s a player there, he just needs a long run of games and hopefully it can turn out to be a very good loan.
I think this could be smart. Will definitely get games if he’s good enough. Bruce a good manager for him and proper PL experience. Needs to stay fit and really take the chance. Feel this is the last chance he’ll have to prove himself. Talent is there, but not quite happened.
It’s good for him to get game time, but in Newcastles 3/5-at-the-back system? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial if he was loaned out to club with a similar playing style?
Fantastic move !! He’s gonna be a top player and they are a massive club with harsh Fans.. He will be tested (mentally) If the move comes off.
Would be a great move for Axel and Newcastle. Needs the game time, has all the talent and attributes to be world class.
Get him on a long term contract and let him get a solid season of experience in the prem..His time will come
Gonna throw myself out there…if he stays fit the next 2 seasons I think he’ll earn an England call up
I like that. With Brucey in charge of Newcastle he will look after axel and give him plenty advice and game time
A good mate of mine is a Toon fan. Reckons they badly lack pace at the back. Tuanzebe could offer them exactly that and deserves regular PL game time. He’s one of few CB’s I’ve seen keep pace with Mbappe!
Bruce knows him well from Villa spell and has Man Utd links, so this makes a lot of sense. Hopefully he learns a lot and comes back ready to challenge.
To be fair, at Villa Bruce often played him at RB and he never really played regularly at CB until Smith took over. Reports suggest Bruce wants a CB, but I think Tuanzebe is too much of a footballing CB for Newcastle.
Nah, not Newcastle. I hope he goes to a Brighton-esque team.
He’s 24 in November and Bruce has worked with him before. Absolutely no need to be loaning him. Pay up
” With Brucey in charge of Newcastle he will look after axel and give him plenty advice and game time”. Is the aforementioned and the other Manure comments a p*ss take?
LA Toon(Quote)