Newcastle United are looking to complete the loan signing of Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United, according to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards. United are close to completing a deal for French defender Raphael Varane, which would leave Tuanzebe even further down the pecking order. Thus, Newcastle are looking to make him their first signing of the summer.
Newcastle Keen to Sign Axel Tuanzebe
Tuanzebe in Need of Minutes
Since breaking into the first team at Manchester United, Tuanzebe has found regular game time hard to come by. The 23-year-old has spent two separate loan spells at Aston Villa, the second being part of the team that helped the Villains achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
Aside from those loans, the England youth international has largely been limited to cup appearances for the Old Trafford side. He made eight appearances in the Europa League last season as United made it all the way to the final; just one less than his number of Premier League appearances.
It was a similar story in 2019/20, where Tuanzebe only made five outings in the Premier League and played three times in the Europa League.
Tuanzebe has done enough to show that he is a talented player, but sitting on the sidelines at Manchester United is not going to do his career any good.
Newcastle a Likely Destination
Newcastle’s link comes through manager Steve Bruce, who was in charge at Villa during Tuanzebe’s loan spells. They have also just sold defender Florian Lejeune, meaning there is a space in their defence for a new arrival.
The Magpies are yet to make any moves in the transfer window yet, despite a couple of outgoings in Lejeune and Andy Carroll. However, they are still intent on signing Joe Willock from Arsenal, while Ross Barkley and Hamza Choudhury have emerged as possible targets too.
Edwards’ report suggests that a permanent move for Willock could be back on the cards now as Arsenal look to raise funds for their own transfer business. They have already signed Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga. In addition, Ben White is expected to complete his move from Brighton & Hove Albion this week, and the Gunners are considering raising their bid for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale.
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