Express & Star

Aston Villa eyeing loan return for Axel Tuanzebe

Villa remain hopeful of sealing a season-long loan deal for Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe.

Published

The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season at Villa Park and boss Steve Bruce has been keen to bring him back. Talks between the two clubs have now resumed after Villa saw a ‘soft’ transfer embargo lifted by the EFL.

Norway international goalkeeper Orjan Nyland is poised to become Bruce’s second signing of the transfer window after holding talks over the weekend.

The 27-year-old could complete a move from German Second Division outfit FC Ingolstadt today, though the deal is unlikely to be sealed in time for him to feature in tonight’s season opener at Hull.

Bruce is set for contract talks with James Chester later this month, while Jack Grealish could also be offered fresh terms, should he stay at the club. The 22-year-old’s future is the major talking point ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Former Chelsea and Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has, meanwhile, been mooted as a possible candidate to become Villa’s new chief executive. The 64-year-old is known to Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, Villa’s new majority shareholders, and has a long-standing relationship with Jorge Mendes, the super-agent enlisted to help with the club’s recruitment.