Football
Exclusive: Wolves And Leeds United Express Interest in Signing Ipswich Town Defender Axel Tuanzebe
Wolves and Leeds United are interested in signing Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe, who is keen to continue playing in the Premier League. Bristol City and Norwich City are also monitoring the 27-year-old right-back. Tuanzebe, a former Manchester United and Aston Villa player, is seeking offers to extend his Premier League stay after his contract expires.
Chelsea FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League by Mike Hewitt | Getty Images
Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe is wanted by Wolves and Leeds United SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The experienced right-back is out of contract at the end of the month and keen to continue playing in the Premier League after the Tractor Boys’ relegation last season.
But our sources have learnt that both Bristol City and Norwich City are admirers of the 27-year-old right-back and monitoring his next move.
Former Manchester United and Aston Villa ace Tuanzebe played 22 times for Ipswich in the top flight last season, but the club are happy for him to leave this summer.
Turkish side Trabzonspor are believed to have pulled out of a deal to sign the defender on a free transfer after terms could not be agreed.
But SportsBoom has learnt Tuanzebe is keen to extend his Premier League stay and is hoping for an offer soon.
Tuanzebe joined Manchester United’s academy system aged eight and in the 2016-17 season finally made his Premier League debut after 11 years at Old Trafford.
STARTING STRUGGLE
However, he struggled to cement a regular starting role at right-back and spent much of his time on loan at Aston Villa, as well as brief spells with Napoli and Stoke City.
The former England Under-19, U20 and U21 international ended his long association with United in 2023 when former Red Devils coach Kieran McKenna signed him on a permanent one-year deal as manager of Ipswich.
Tuanzebe starred in the side which clinched a famous promotion to the Premier League after a 22-year absence.
In total he has played 45 games for the club across two seasons, but no deal has been forthcoming since the end of the season and he is now expected to leave.
Both Wolves and Leeds are looking to strengthen their defences ahead of the new Premier League campaign, which kicks off in August.
But Tuanzebe commands a £40,000 a week wage, so both the Robins and Canaries know they would have fork out good money to secure his services.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.