The Athletic’s Leeds United reporter Phil Hay says the Whites were offered the chance to sign Manchester United man Axel Tuanzebe and the club did consider a move for the defender – but the Whites decided to remain as they were.
The 25-year-old defender was on the move on deadline day – but he joined Stoke City on loan until the end of the season. A move that came about after Stoke allowed Harry Souttar to join Leicester for a fee believed to be £15million.
Souttar’s move directly impacted Jack Harrison. Leicester wanted Harrison, too. But Financial Fairplay dictated that if they did get the World Cup defender, then FFP would prevent them from landing Harrison in a £25million transfer.
So, Leicester signed Souttar, Harrison remained, and Stoke brought in Tuanzebe as a replacement. The ex-Villa and Napoli loanee has failed to play a single game for Manchester United this season. His Old Trafford deal ends in June.
The report from The Athletic claims that actually, Leeds were offered the chance to bring in Tuanzebe. Leeds did actually consider a move, given Diego Llorente has joined Roma on a loan-to-buy. But they chose not to do a deal.
Hay reports: “Right-sided central defenders are not crawling out of the woodwork. On deadline day, Leeds looked briefly at Manchester United’s Tuanzebe as cover after he was offered to them, but decided to remain as they were.”
Hay: Leeds offered chance to sign Manchester United man Tuanzebe
The issue with Tuanzebe is that at 25, he has not played enough games. He has not been a regular in any side and injuries have been an issue. Even in 18 months at Villa, he only managed 46 games. At United, 37. Napoli? Just two.
Despite his lack of impact at Old Trafford, his contract is worth at a whopping £48,000 a week. While there is a lack of cover on the right of the two centre-backs, Leeds probably made the right decision ignoring a move for Tuanzebe.
