Jack Grealish and Angel Gomes react to Axel Tuanzebe’s Napoli loan move

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Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has joined Serie A giants Napoli on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

The 24-year-old signed a new contract with the Reds in the summer, keeping him at Old Trafford until June 2023 with the option to extend by another year.

After penning a new deal, the academy graduate joined Aston Villa for a third loan spell, having previously played for the Villains in two separate spells.

Tuanzebe made 11 appearances for the Midlands club, but he found himself out-of-favour when Steven Gerrard was appointed following Dean Smith’s sacking.

Before Smith’s sacking, Tuanzebe started six of the opening 11 Premier League matches. But once the former Rangers man took over, Tuanzebe played just eight minutes across seven matches.

But the former one time England under-21 international will now embark on his first move abroad, having joined up with Luciano Spalletti’s side.

Axel Tuanzebe came off the bench in the latter stages of today’s clash against Sampdoria to make his Napoli debut. The Neapolitans are currently third in Serie A, eight points behind AC Milan.

The progressed through their Europa League group, which included Leicester City, and face a blockbuster draw against Barcelona for the place in the last-16.

Players that reacted to Tuanzebe’s Instagram post included Manchester City’s £100m summer signing (BBC Sport) Jack Grealish and former Manchester United players Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Angel Gomes.

Tuanzebe has been backed to be success in Serie A and follow in the footsteps of former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, as well as former Chelsea stars Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Napoli don’t have a buy option included in Axel Tuanzebe’s loan, but the Italians will have priority in the summer.

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