Axel Tuanzebe might be back in the Premier League sooner than anyone expected. The former Manchester United defender, who spent last season with relegated Burnley, is now in talks with Hull City about a move, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Hull just earned promotion back to the top flight. And Tuanzebe, 28, is coming off a surprisingly strong World Cup campaign with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The central defender lined up against England in the round of 32 and held his own — reports from that match were positive, with his performance drawing some attention from Premier League scouts.
That game ended in a narrow loss for DR Congo, but it reminded people what Tuanzebe can do when he’s fit and focused. The guy once shut down Kylian Mbappe in a Champions League game for Manchester United. That version of Tuanzebe hasn’t shown up consistently since, but the talent has always been there.
From Old Trafford to Burnley and Now Hull
Tuanzebe came up through United’s academy, joining the club at age eight. He made his senior debut in 2017 and logged 37 appearances for the first team. But injuries and loan spells at Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stoke City kept him from ever locking down a regular spot at Old Trafford.
He left United in 2023, signing permanently with Ipswich Town. Two years there led to a move to Burnley last summer. That didn’t work out great — he played just 16 games all season and scored once. Then Burnley got relegated, and suddenly Tuanzebe was looking for a new home again.
Hull City makes sense as a landing spot. They’ve already got ties to Manchester United — midfielder Toby Collyer spent half of last season on loan there. And former United academy product Paddy McNair is already on Hull’s books. So Tuanzebe wouldn’t be walking into a completely unfamiliar locker room.
What Tuanzebe Brings to Hull
At his best, Tuanzebe is an athletic, ball-playing center-back who can cover ground and read the game. The knock on him has always been availability. When he’s healthy, he’s a legitimate Premier League defender. The question is whether he can stay on the field for a full season.
Hull’s promotion gives them a chance to add experienced players who know the league. Tuanzebe has 37 Premier League appearances, plus time in the Championship and Serie A. That’s not a huge sample, but it’s more than some of Hull’s current options have at this level.
Negotiations are ongoing. The Telegraph reports that Hull and Burnley are in active discussions, with Tuanzebe’s World Cup performance helping his case. No deal is done yet, but the interest is real.
For Tuanzebe, this could be a last real shot at establishing himself in the Premier League. He turns 29 next season. The potential has always been there. Now it’s about putting together a consistent run of games.
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