Napoli have ‘started contacts’ with Manchester United to try and sign Axel Tuanzebe on loan in the January transfer window.
That’s according to Gianluca di Marzio, cited by Napoli Piu, who say the say the Italian side want to sign the defender despite him being on loan at Aston Villa.
Di Marzio reports that Napoli are on the hunt for a new centre back to replace Kostas Manolas, who has secured a move back to Greece and cover for Kalidou Koulibaly, who will be going to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
They are ‘exploring a number of avenues’ in an attempt to find Luciano Spalletti a new player, and they are ‘thinking about’ Tuanzebe.
The journalist reports that they have already ‘made contact’ with Manchester United regarding the 24-year-old and made it clear they are interested in signing the youngster.
The initial contacts have been held with the Red Devils in an attempt to understand if there is the possibility of them ‘switching from one loan to another’.
In fact, Napoli are waiting to see if Manchester United will accept a loan deal with a right of redemption tagged on at the end of it.
One big selling point for Tuanzebe is his ability to play in several positions, with Di Marzio labelling him one of the ‘most promising players’ in United’s academy.
He’s one of several options Napoli are looking at in January, and talks are already underway, although Aston Villa will surely have a large part to play in any potential deal.
