Axel Tuanzebe looks set to join Napoli on loan for the remainder of the season once Manchester United confirm that his current loan deal with Aston Villa has ended.
The Serie A side have moved for the 24-year-old, who had initially agreed to spend another campaign at Villa Park, but is now set for a move to Italy.
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the deal is agreed and that Manchester United have accepted a £500,000 loan fee until June.
Following the completion of his spell in Italy, Tuanzebe whose contract at Manchester United expires in 2023 is likely to want to discuss his long-term future at the club in the summer.
Since the appointment of Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, Tuanzebe has played just eight minutes of football. Under Dean Smith, the former England under-21 international had started six of the opening 11 Premier League games of the season.
However, according to The Athletic, when the Italian giants registered an interest, Tuanzebe reportedly made it clear that he wanted to leave as his priority is to play regularly.
With club captain Tyrone Mings suspended for today’s trip to Brentford, Tuanzebe could have started his first Premier League game under Gerrard, but that opportunity will now likely go to Kortney Hause, who hasn’t featured at all since Gerrard arrived at the club.
But with Kalidou Koulibaly heading for the African Cup of Nations with Senegal and Kostas Manolas returning to Olympiakos after two years at Napoli, Luciano Spalletti has identified Axel Tuanzebe as then man to bolster his defence.
Napoli currently sit third in Serie A and have been drawn against Barcelona in the Europa League draw.
Tuanzebe will no doubt be hoping to strike up a formidable dominant partnership with Koulibaly in Naples.
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