---
title: "Aston Villa: Axel Tuanzebe boost emerges"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-axel-tuanzebe-boost-emerges/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2021-07-06T13:15:31Z"
modified: "2021-07-06T13:15:31Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Axel Tuanzebe boost emerges

**Aston Villa have been handed a huge boost in their attempts to sign Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe, according to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-given-encouragement-over-signing-tuanzebe-by-man-united/).**

### The Lowdown: Villa’s interest

[Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-aston-villa-have-concrete-interest-in-re-signing-man-united-star-tuanzebe/) suggested at the end of June that Villa registered their interest in Tuanzebe, with Dean Smith looking to sign a centre-back following [Bjorn Engels’ move to Royal Antwerp](https://www.bt.com/sport/news/2021/june/bjorn-engels-leaves-aston-villa-for-royal-antwerp-after-19-games-in-two-years).

They hold a ‘concrete’ interest in Tuanzebe, who can play at [centre-back and right-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/axel-tuanzebe/profil/spieler/342046), and would make a move if given encouragement by United.

They have been handed just that, according to a recent report, with links to the Englishman, who has already made [35](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/axel-tuanzebe/leistungsdaten/spieler/342046) appearances for Villa during a loan spell, heating up.

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### The Latest: Source shares update

According to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-given-encouragement-over-signing-tuanzebe-by-man-united/), who were informed by a Villa source, the club have been given encouragement over a potential deal for Tuanzebe.

United are planning to part ways with the 23-year-old this summer and Villa have held talks over a transfer.

The Red Devils will listen to offers for the defender who [Gary Neville hailed last season](https://www.unitedinfocus.com/news/gary-neville-praises-axel-tuanzebes-performance-at-right-back-vs-everton/), if they land a replacement.

One centre-back who has been [linked](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12345358/raphael-varane-manchester-united-interested-in-signing-defender-from-real-madrid) with a move to Old Trafford is Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, and it seems as should a deal go through, Tuanzebe could well return to Villa Park.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”363813″\]

### The Verdict: A great move

With just [Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/kader/verein/405) Villa’s only senior centre-backs, a fourth could prove to be a shrewd move by Smith.

He’s already worked with Tuanzebe in the Midlands, so will know just what he would add to the squad. A [£7m fee was touted as possibly being enough back in May](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-aston-villa-set-sights-on-re-signing-man-united-star-tuanzebe/), and should that still be the case, it could turn out to be a bargain in the long run.

Tuanzebe’s current [Transfermarkt valuation stands at £7.2m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/axel-tuanzebe/profil/spieler/342046), so signing him for £200,000 less than that appears to be a no brainer for a versatile defender who already has Premier League experience and still has plenty of years to develop further.

***In other news: Emile Smith Rowe update emerges, Villa’s patience could be about to pay off, find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/aston-villa-third-emile-smith-rowe-transfer-bid-planned/).***