Aston Villa have been handed a huge boost in their attempts to sign Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa’s interest

Football Insider 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.

They hold a ‘concrete’ interest in Tuanzebe, who can play at centre-back and right-back, 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 appearances for Villa during a loan spell, heating up.

The Latest: Source shares update

According to Football Insider, 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, if they land a replacement.

One centre-back who has been linked 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.

The Verdict: A great move

With just Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause 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, 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, 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.