Manchester United accepted an unexpected loan offer from Napoli for defender Axel Tuanzebe. Consequently, his temporary stint at Aston Villa will conclude prematurely.
The former England U21 international joined Villa on loan from United last summer. However, the transfer hasn’t quite panned out as planned. Tuanzebe has only logged eight minutes of Premier League action since Steven Gerrard’s appointment as manager. Despite this, Gerrard openly expressed his wish to keep the player.
According to reputable football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have ended their agreement with Villa. They’ve finalized a deal with the Serie A title contenders for Tuanzebe’s move to the Diego Maradona Stadium for a €500,000 loan fee.
This agreement lacks a purchase option. Therefore, United envision Tuanzebe’s future at Old Trafford and believe he’ll gain more playing time in Italy than in Birmingham.
This development will undoubtedly disappoint Gerrard, who recently voiced his hope of retaining the player.
Tuanzebe’s departure stings Gerrard
Regarding Tuanzebe, he stated: “The decision rests with Axel and Manchester United. We want him here; we’d be thrilled to have him. We don’t view this as just a loan until the season’s end.
“We aim to explore extending the stay. We hope to get that opportunity.
“He’s a player we highly value. We’d prefer him to stay at least until the season concludes. Axel will make his own choice.
“Of course, Manchester United owns his contract, which we must respect. I hope he wishes to be part of this team.
“His daily contributions, leadership, and training intensity have been exceptional, and he’s striving for playing time.”
Gerrard acknowledged, however, that United might exercise their option to recall the player in January—which they evidently have.
He explained: “Most loan deals, for context, usually include a recall clause. I believe it’s unwise to loan any player nowadays, especially during a pandemic, without a recall option.
“We’ll see how things unfold in the near future. We want to keep him.
Gerrard focuses on Villa’s transfer activity
Gerrard will now concentrate on strengthening Villa’s squad with the transfer window open.
He’s reportedly seeking a new midfielder, and finding a replacement for Tuanzebe is also a priority.
Commenting on the January transfer window, Gerrard added: “We’ll only make signings we believe are right for the team. We want additions that enhance and improve us.
“We won’t sign players simply to increase numbers.
“We’re assessing players for specific positions. I won’t divulge too much; otherwise, my phone will be inundated with calls from agents, which I want to avoid.
“Christian Purslow (CEO) and Johan Lange (Sporting Director) and I have been in daily contact for the past week. Even more so, due to my increased free time because of COVID.
“We’ve held productive meetings and identified individuals we’d like to acquire.
“If we can finalize those deals this window, excellent. Otherwise, we
Tuanzebe’s Napoli Switch: A Shock Move & a Blow to Gerrard’s Villa
The football world woke up to a surprise this morning: Axel Tuanzebe is leaving Aston Villa. Not just leaving, but leaving prematurely for a loan move to Napoli. This unexpected turn of events throws a wrench into Steven Gerrard’s plans and raises questions about Manchester United’s approach to the promising (but currently struggling) defender.
The narrative surrounding Tuanzebe’s loan spell at Villa Park had been one of unfulfilled potential. While initially touted as a key addition, his minutes under Steven Gerrard dwindled to a paltry eight in the Premier League. This stark reality, despite Gerrard’s public pronouncements of his desire to keep the player, ultimately led to the termination of the loan agreement.
The move to Napoli, confirmed by the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano, is a curious one. A €500,000 loan fee suggests a belief from Manchester United in Tuanzebe’s ability – a belief seemingly unsupported by his recent Villa performances. The absence of a purchase option, however, speaks volumes. This isn’t a desperate attempt to offload a player; rather, it suggests a calculated gamble by United. They see Serie A, and specifically Napoli’s high-octane style, as a better environment for Tuanzebe to rediscover his form and potentially earn a future at Old Trafford.
This decision, however, is undoubtedly a bitter pill for Steven Gerrard to swallow. His public statements expressing a strong desire to keep Tuanzebe, coupled with his ambition to build around the player, clearly demonstrate his faith in the defender’s abilities. Gerrard’s words now ring with an air of disappointment, leaving Villa’s defensive options looking thinner just as the season reaches a crucial juncture.
The bigger question, though, remains: what does this mean for Tuanzebe? Will the change of scenery in Naples reignite his career? Or is this simply a temporary reprieve before another loan spell, or a permanent exit from Manchester United entirely? The next few months will be critical in answering this question. For now, the sudden shift in Tuanzebe’s trajectory serves as a reminder of football’s unpredictable nature – even for managers who are vocal about their desires. This certainly isn’t the end of the story for Axel Tuanzebe, but it’s a significant turning point.
