Everton have made several signings this summer but David Moyes still has defensive business to complete before the new Premier League season gets underway.
Christian Norgaard became the club’s fourth signing after joining from Arsenal for around £7 million, adding experience and quality to the midfield.
The Danish midfielder followed Hayden Hackney, Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George through the door as Moyes looked to build a more competitive squad across multiple positions.
The next area of focus appears to be at the back, where a right back departure has left a significant gap in the squad.
Seamus Coleman has left the club after 17 years at Everton, leaving Nathan Patterson as the only natural senior right back currently available to Moyes.
Jake O’Brien can cover the position, but the Republic of Ireland international is a centre back by trade and cannot be relied upon there long-term.
Everton have been pursuing Alistair Johnston as a primary target, while Atletico Madrid defender Nahuel Molina has also been discussed as an alternative option.
Axel Tuanzebe has now emerged as a potentially cheaper and more flexible solution, with the 28-year-old comfortable operating at both centre back and right back.
The defender has accumulated 61 Premier League appearances across spells at Manchester United, Aston Villa, Ipswich Town and Burnley, though injuries have repeatedly disrupted his progress.
Tuanzebe rose through Manchester United’s academy and was once regarded as one of the club’s most promising young defenders, showcasing his pace and strength during a Champions League win over PSG in 2020.
He had three separate loan spells with Aston Villa, helping them win promotion from the Championship in 2019, before brief stints at Napoli and Stoke City brought just five combined league appearances.
Ipswich Town finally gave Tuanzebe a more settled platform, where he made 19 Championship appearances during their promotion season 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, with his sole league goal coming in a draw against Tottenham in January.
Tuanzebe’s profile has been raised considerably by his international exploits, having scored the extra-time goal against Jamaica that secured DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance in 52 years.
He featured twice at the tournament as the Leopards reached the knockout stage before being eliminated by two Harry Kane goals against England in the last 32.
According to talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs, Tuanzebe is assessing “several” suitors after returning from the World Cup this summer.
He is available on a free transfer following his expired Burnley contract, with Everton and Brentford both showing initial interest alongside clubs from Saudi Arabia.
There is no suggestion Everton have made a formal offer or opened negotiations, meaning their interest currently remains at an early stage.
Tuanzebe’s versatility and English football experience would make sense for Moyes, particularly if talks over Johnston continue to drag on without a resolution.
However, the Everton manager must weigh whether Tuanzebe’s persistent injury record makes a seemingly straightforward free transfer a more complicated proposition than it first appears.