Aston Villa have now registered their interest in Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe amid a potential summer transfer move.

What's the story?

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that the centre-back could be set for a reunion with Dean Smith, having, of course, played under the Villa boss during their time in the Championship.

And now, Football Insider have revealed that Villa have now made an approach for the defender by registering their interest in him and that they will make an official move for him if given the encouragement to do so.

It's added that: "Smith wants a young defender with Premier League experience to provide cover and competition for first-choice duo Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa. Tuanzebe has been targeted as he fits the profile of the recruitment team and has the potential to develop."

Fans will be buzzing

The £7.2m-rated centre-back has earned rave reviews for his performances for United last season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer waxing lyrical about him after he stopped PSG and Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League.

He said: "Axel's a tremendous defender, a great leader. He's come through the academy and we've known for years that he's going to be a top player for us and he's got the character and the attitude that a Man United player should have. Sometimes you’ll get in a foot race with Mbappe and you have to run with him and we know Axel’s qualities, he’s a top defender."

Given the £50k-a-week earning ace has already played under Smith, he should be able to hit the ground running, especially with his experience of Premier League football at United too.

Tuanzebe featured 35 times in his one season at Villa, including starting in the club's Championship play-offs run that earned them promotion back to the Premier League.

Villa fans will surely be buzzing at the prospect of another, young English talent heading to Villa Park and joining the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa as Smith's impressive centre-back options, especially with Bjorn Engels' recent departure.

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