Newcastle United favourites to sign Manchester United defender

Newcastle United have emerged as favourites to sign Axel Tuanzebe on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

The Red Devils recently agreed to land Raphael Varane. The centre-back could be officially presented in the coming days.

With his arrival, Tuanzebe is free to leave on loan this summer in order to secure first-team football next season.

It was recently claimed that Aston Villa were favourites to sign him after he renews his deal with the Red Devils.

However, according to Football Insider, the Magpies have jumped ahead of the queue after Steve Bruce's intervention.

Bruce has personally spoken with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and he has assured a regular starting role for the 23-year-old.

Villa won't be able to assure the same. The Magpies will still need to pay a loan fee of around £2 million for the defender.

They would also need to meet his reported wages of around £50,000-a-week. It could increase with the expected renewal.