Aston Villa fortunately have made alternate plans.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith appeared to realise earlier this month that chances of re-signing Axel Tuanzebe looked slim.
The newly promoted Villans have been on a transfer spree, and have added three centre-backs.
Tyrone Mings has joined permanently, while Bjorn Engels and Ezri Konsa have also joined Villa.
It’s just as well, as their chances of landing Tuanzebe look close to being over.
This is not just because of the defender’s solid pre-season for Manchester United.
United have now seen defender Eric Bailly suffer an injury, which saw him stretchered off against Tottenham in Shanghai.
The Sun reported how Bailly returned back in Manchester in a wheelchair and leg brace.
United are likely to go out and buy a defender as a result, something they have already been targeting.
But it means regardless of the outcome, Tuanzebe will be needed.
Villa have done well not to rest their plans around him. Bailly’s injury should end any faint hopes of bringing him back.
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