Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on the loan signing of Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United as we look to continue to strengthen our squad this summer.
Villa gave the green light for Bjorn Engels to leave the club last month, and in doing so created a void in the squad in terms of a lack of depth in central defence.
READ MORE: Official: Aston Villa confirm signing of Danny Ings in £25m+ deal
While Kortney Hause, a left-sided centre-half, can step in for Tyrone Mings when necessary, there is an obvious lack of competition and cover for Ezri Konsa on the right side, and so that has seemingly been one of the areas that needs to be addressed in the coming weeks.
According to The Athletic, it appears as though Villa have identified their solution as we’re said to be close to signing Tuanzebe on a season-long loan deal from United.
The 23-year-old is expected to struggle for regular playing time at Old Trafford again this season, and so an exit seems to make sense for him.
That said, he’ll have a fierce battle on his hands at Villa too in terms of trying to cement his place in the starting XI, as ultimately it will take some doing to displace Konsa who has been a pivotal part of the line-up over the past two seasons and is only going to continue to improve and develop.
Having played a key role in helping us secure promotion back to the Premier League three years ago, Dean Smith knows Tuanzebe well and is fully aware of what he can offer him moving forward.
Should the clubs agree a deal, which will preferably include an option to buy for Villa, it will be down to Tuanzebe to decide whether or not it’s the right move for his career but a return would certainly be welcome as it would address an obvious need in our current group.
