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Former Manchester United star Axel Tuanzebe is set to return to the Premier League, with a Burnley medical currently ongoing, David Ornstein of The Athletic has revealed.
According to Ornstein, “Defender Axel Tuanzebe is undergoing a medical at Burnley ahead of a proposed move as a free agent.”
“Ipswich confirmed in their retained list earlier this month that they had offered Tuanzebe a new deal.”
If he passes his medical, Tuanzebe will become Burnley’s third summer signing after Quilindschy Hartman and Max Weiss from Feyenoord and German outfit Karlsruher respectively.
Tuanzebe spent his entire youth career at United, having joined the club at the age of eight, before eventually breaking into the first team.
He made his senior debut for the Red Devils in January 2017 in an FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic.
The Congolese footballer made 37 appearances for United across all competitions between 2017 and 2021. Most of these came in the 2020/21 campaign, when he played nine Premier League games and 10 total matches in cup competitions.
The Carrington academy graduate’s time at Old Trafford was greatly disrupted by injuries and fitness issues, which prevented him from nailing down a regular berth in the team.
Before his permanent departure to Ipswich Town in 2023, Tuanzebe had loan spells at Aston Villa, Napoli and Stoke City.
Tuanzebe’s final appearance for United came in the Europa League final in May 2021, where he successfully converted his penalty in the shootout loss to Villarreal.
He somewhat revived his career at Ipswich, where he became a key player under Kieran McKenna whenever he was fit and available for selection.
Tuanzebe’s Premier League experience will be a valuable asset for Burnley as they aim to avoid relegation and secure their top-flight status next season. He will reunite with a familiar face in Hannibal Mejbri, a player he knows well from their shared time in the United academy.
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