Napoli are considering raiding Aston Villa in the January transfer window to replace Kostas Manolas with Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The Villans hired Tuanzebe from the Red Devils in August, but he has failed to earn regular game time. The 24-year-old has so far amassed only 505-minutes over nine Premier League appearances, with just eight-minutes coming under Steven Gerrard.
Tuanzebe is the third-choice centre-half in Gerrard’s pecking order behind Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa following Dean Smith’s departure. The Liverpool icon has only fielded him from the bench during two of his seven games in charge so far.
Smith was more forthcoming with game time during his final months at the Villa Park helm. Tuanzebe started six of Smith’s last 11 matches, but only helped to one clean sheet during September’s win over Everton.
His run in the now-Norwich boss’ side tempted Tuanzebe to consider a permanent transfer to Aston Villa, per The Sun. He was happy in the West Midlands and enjoying the reception fans offered straight away in September. But Napoli could now separate their relationship.
Napoli studying Tuanzebe swoop in January transfer window
Napoli are studying a number of centre-halves for the January transfer window, including Aston Villa loanee Tuanzebe. The Serie A side must strengthen Luciano Spalletti’s backline next month, having just sold Manolas to Olympiacos for €2.5m (£2m).
The Azzurri will also be without Kalidou Koulibaly in January while he represents Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. But Napoli do not have a lavish budget to spend on a new star, even in a season they are fighting for the title with Spalletti’s side sitting third in the table.
So, Napoli are having to examine loans, at most including an option to buy at the end of the season. Yet Roma are likely to block their pursuit of Marash Kumbulla with a €20m (£17m) valuation. Fenerbahce also want an obligation of €18-20m (£15-17m) to loan Attila Szalai.
Napoli Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli would prefer to sign Kumbulla above all. But he is studying Tuanzebe and Hellas Verona’s Nicolo Casale as possible lower-budget options.
Gerrard is unlikely to let Tuanzebe leave Aston Villa
Gerrard will likely be reluctant to let Tuanzebe leave Aston Villa in the January transfer window, amid Napoli’s interest, unless Manchester United have a recall clause already.
While the Villans boss has rarely utilised the former England U21 international so far, he offers him valuable depth. Gerrard would kick himself if Tuanzebe left Aston Villa, only for Mings and/or Konsa to then sustain an injury that leaves Kortney Hause his only option.
Luke Shaw also lauds what Tuanzebe can give, even if his performances in claret-and-blue this season have not always remained at the level his Manchester United teammate notes.
“I think Axel is unbelievable,” Shaw once said, via quotes by the Express. “I think the talent he’s got is frightening. He’s strong, he’s quick, he’s energetic, he reads the game well, he’s a good passer of the ball. He’s got everything.”
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