Once Gers-linked defender spoke with EL rivals after Man Utd release 

Once Rangers-linked centre-back Axel Tuanzebe was reportedly a target for Europa League rivals Real Betis following his release from Manchester United.

But the centre-back has not moved to the La Liga side and has instead been announced at English Championship Ipswich Town.

This comes following the Manchester United Academy star’s release from Old Trafford, the defender having made 37 appearances for the club after breaking through in 2017.

According to the Daily Mail, the 25-year-old centre-back was also a target for Premier League newcomers Sheffield United and Luton Town before signing on at Ipswich Town.

The report claims that Real Betis were targeting Axel Tuanzebe following the post-Spanish transfer window sale of Brazilian-born Italian defender Luiz Felipe to Saudi club Al-Ittihad.

That move – worth a reported £21.5m to the La Liga side – has left Real Betis short in defence even if they can still rely on Argentine international German Pezzella and ex-Barca and Dortmund defender Marc Bartra.

Axel Tuanzebe ‘held Real Betis talks’ before Ipswich Town move
The suggestion is that Axel Tuanzebe had held talks with Real Betis over a move as Manuel Pellegrini’s side looked to reinforce their defence.

However, as the deadline has already passed for Real Betis to submit their Europa League A-list, Axel Tuanzebe wouldn’t have been free to face Rangers this season even if a deal was completed.

It comes after Rangers drew Real Betis, Aris Limassol and Sparta Prague in Group C of the Europa League after dropping into the competition this season.

Whatever the case, it appears Real Betis’ loss is Ipswich Town’s game with Axel Tuanzebe set to restart his career with the Tractor Boys.

Rangers fans will remember Axel Tuanzebe from Ibrox links back during the reign of Steven Gerrard and the player’s time at Manchester United.

In the summer of 2019 it was claimed by leading club insider Four Lads Had a Dream that Rangers had a “strong interest” in the Congolese-born English centre-back.

For whatever reason that move never materialised and Axel Tuanzebe went out on loan a number of times to Aston Villa, Napoli and most recently, Stoke City.