Aston Villa reached an agreement with Royal Antwerp for Bjorn Engels to make the switch from England to Belgium this summer, meaning a new defender will need to be brought in to replace him.
Dean Smith’s preferred centre-back partnership is Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa with Kortney Hause providing cover, but Football Insider say Axel Tuanzebe is back on Villa’s radar.
The 23-year-old rose through the youth ranks to Manchester United’s first-team and has gone on to make 37 appearances in all competitions. He’s never nailed down a regular starting place at Old Trafford, however, which is why he was loaned out for two seasons.
Tuanzebe has had two loan stints Villa (January 2018 – May 2018) (August 2018 – May 2019), making a total of 35 appearances in that time. The former England U21 international greatly impressed at the back and played his part in Villa returning to the Premier League, so he’s held in high regard.
Football Insider say he’s open to a loan move, so the two parties could be renewing acquaintances. The story has garnered a lot of attention on social media.
In other news, Jack Grealish celebrates England win, takes snap with teammates, hails Stormzy
