Newcastle are pushing ahead with their interest in Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe with a deal for Raphael Varane immiment, claims The Daily Telegraph.
United have agreed a deal worth as much as €50m for Varane and the Real Madrid defender will complete his switch at the start of next week.
Varane's impending arrival paves the way for Tuanzebe to leave United on loan for next season and Newcastle are at the front of the queue.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer agreed with Tuanzebe at the start of the summer he needs regular playing time next season and Steve Bruce wants to raid his former club for the versatile defender.
Tuanzebe worked with Bruce at Aston Villa and the Newcastle manager hopes to finally get this deal over the line after a frustrating summer for the Magpies.
Newcastle are yet to make a single signing this summer and still haven't made a breakthrough in talks to re-sign Joe Willock from Arsenal.
💪 Axel Tuanzebe had the fourth best tackle success rate (92.9%) in the Premier League last season (10+ attempted) pic.twitter.com/tHYcOueorB
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 16, 2021
Solskjaer thinks very highly of Tuanzebe both on and off the pitch but simply hasn't been able to give the 23-year-old amble opportunities.
Tuanzebe was limited to just nine Premier League appearances last season but did have the fourth best tackle success rate (92.9%) in the division (10+ tackles attempted).
