Matt Maher drops Aston Villa transfer update on Axel Tuanzebe | OneFootball

The Express and Star‘s Matt Maher has dropped an update on Aston Villa transfer target Axel Tuanzebe.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that the Manchester United defender could be making a return to Villa Park this summer as Dean Smith looks to strengthen his centre-back options.

Football Insider revealed: “A Villa source has told Football Insider that the club have been given encouragement that United are planning to let Tuanzebe go in the current window.”

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Maher has now confirmed that Villa have registered their interest in signing Tuanzebe, although fellow Premier League side Newcastle are also said to be keen on him.

Villa fans will be buzzing

Maher’s update that Villa are in for Tuanzebe will surely have fans buzzing, especially considering that Smith is desperately short of genuine quality cover in terms of his centre-back options.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has already thrown his backing behind a potential Villa move for the Manchester United defender. He said: “At 23, if you’re not getting a sniff at your own club, it’s not a good sign. The under-23 league that’s been brought in gives people a false sense of security that you’re going to be a footballer at 23.

“If you’re 20 or 21 and you’re not training with the first team at that point, you’ve probably missed the boat. He’s got quality. But I think for him, at this stage in his career, he’s not at Man United level. So he probably needs to move elsewhere. Somewhere like Aston Villa would be perfect for himself and for the good of his career.”

With Smith and Villa already aware of Tuanzebe’s quality given his previous loan spell at the club, featuring 28 times in their promotion-winning 2018/19 Championship campaign, the defender should be able to hit the ground running at Villa Park.

Fans will likely be buzzing at the prospect of the 23-year-old once again donning a Villa shirt for next season.

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