Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe wanted by Bournemouth

Add as preferred source on Google

Bournemouth want to sign Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe to boost their Premier League survival bid.

The Athletic report that Tuanzebe is among the central defenders the Cherries are considering ahead of their return to the top flight.

They report that Scott Parker’s men only have three options in that area of the pitch, and are weighing up numerous options including Tuanzebe.

Another United academy graduate, Ethan Laird, spent the second half of last season with Bournemouth, but that loan move did not really get off the ground.

Bournemouth want Tuanzebe

In June, Tuanzebe looked in the best shape of his career ahead of pre-season, but his summer has not gone to plan so far.

He has been forced to leave United’s pre-season tour through injury, with his place taken by Will Fish, who was sent off in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Tuanzebe has been linked with Trabzonspor in Turkey, and the Athletic also acknowledge that interest when referencing Bournemouth’s potential to sign him.

Lisandro Martinez has just agreed to join from Ajax, which pushes Tuanzebe further down the central defensive pecking order.

Tuanzebe had two loan spells last season, at Aston Villa and Napoli, with neither working out as planned, and setting his progress back.

At Villa, he started only six Premier League games, but in Italy, he started only one match, and played just 10 minutes in Serie A.

And in June, journalist Fabrizio Romano said that Tuanzebe is set to leave Old Trafford this summer, Erik ten Hag’s first in charge.

That said, Romano said in the same breath that Eric Bailly would also depart and he is still here, making some impressive assists in pre-season.

It is time for Tuanzebe to move on, and a switch to a Premier League club with just three other options for competition looks a good option on paper.

Now, it remains to be seen if Bournemouth firm up their interest, during a summer where a clearout at United was mooted but yet to materialise.