Everton now eyeing in-demand former Man United player on free transfer

Everton have strengthened several areas this summer, but David Moyes still has defensive work to complete before the new season begins.

Christian Norgaard became their fourth signing after joining from Arsenal for around £7 million. The experienced midfielder followed Hayden Hackney, Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George into the club as Everton added quality, energy and greater depth.

Reuters/Matthew Childs

The next priority appears to be at the back.

Seamus Coleman has departed after 17 years with Everton, leaving Nathan Patterson as the only natural senior right back currently listed in Moyes’ squad.

Jake O’Brien can cover there, but the Republic of Ireland international is a centre back by trade. Everton have therefore been pursuing Alistair Johnston, while Atlético Madrid defender Nahuel Molina has also been discussed as an alternative.

Axel Tuanzebe would represent a cheaper and more flexible solution.

The 28-year-old is comfortable at centre back or right back and already understands the physical demands of English football. He’s racked up 61 Premier League appearances across spells at Man United, Aston Villa, Ipswich and Burnley, although injuries have repeatedly interrupted his progress.

Tuanzebe emerged through United’s academy and was once considered one of their brightest defensive prospects. His pace, strength and ability in individual battles were memorably displayed during a Champions League victory over PSG in 2020.

Regular football proved much harder to secure

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He had three separate loans with Aston Villa, helping them win promotion from the Championship in 2019, before brief spells with Napoli and Stoke brought only five combined league appearances.

Ipswich finally provided a more settled platform.

Tuanzebe made 19 Championship appearances during their promotion season, often playing at right back, before featuring 22 times in the Premier League the following campaign.

He joined Burnley on a free transfer last summer but managed only 11 league appearances as fitness problems again limited his availability. His only league goal for the club came during a draw against Tottenham in January.

International football has since provided a major career highlight, with Tuanzebe scoring the extra-time goal against Jamaica which secured DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance in 52 years.

He then featured twice at the tournament as the Leopards reached the knockout stage, before being knocked out by two Harry Kane goals in the last 32 against England.

Everton eyeing Axel Tuanzebe on free transfer

According to talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs, Tuanzebe is assessing ‘several’ suitors after returning from the World Cup.

He is available on a free following his expired Burnley contract, with Everton and Brentford both showing initial interest. Jacobs adds that clubs from Saudi Arabia are also exploring a possible move.

There is no suggestion that Everton have made a formal offer or opened negotiations, so their interest remains at an early stage.

Tuanzebe’s versatility and experience would make sense for Moyes, particularly if talks for Johnston continue to drag. However, Everton must decide whether his injury record makes a free transfer less straightforward than it appears.

In football terms, he looks useful, but there could be more exciting options out there.