Democratic Republic of the Congo international Axel Tuanzebe remains a free agent at 28 despite recently featuring at the FIFA World Cup. With the experienced defender still available, Southampton, West Ham United and Wrexham should all consider making a move this summer.
Axel Tuanzebe is a player who seems to have been around forever, yet the defender is still only 28. For the second time in just a few years, however, he finds himself searching for a new club.
Having come through the Manchester United academy, Tuanzebe made 37 first-team appearances for the Red Devils. Injuries regularly disrupted his progress, while loan spells at Aston Villa, Napoli and Stoke City provided valuable experience before he joined Ipswich Town permanently in 2023.
After two years at Portman Road, Tuanzebe spent the 2025/26 campaign at Burnley, making 14 Premier League appearances as the Clarets suffered relegation.
Burnley have reportedly attempted to keep the defender at Turf Moor, but with Tuanzebe still a free agent, several Championship clubs have an opportunity to land an experienced defender without paying a transfer fee.
Here are three EFL clubs that should be looking closely at the 28-year-old.
Southampton
Southampton could soon need defensive reinforcements, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis attracting interest from Portuguese giants Benfica. The England international’s future at St Mary’s remains uncertain after three years with the club.
The Saints have also been linked with former Sheffield United centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic, who has reportedly been available for around £4 million as Feyenoord look to move him on.
However, Burnley have now entered the race for Ahmedhodzic, while the arrival of Max Alleyne on loan could make a return to Turf Moor even less likely for Tuanzebe.
With Southampton potentially losing Harwood-Bellis and competition for Ahmedhodzic increasing, another experienced centre-back should be high on their list of priorities.
Tuanzebe would make plenty of sense.
The defender has Premier League, Champions League and World Cup experience, and if he can remain fit, he could become one of the Championship’s most dependable defenders.
His versatility is another major advantage. Tuanzebe can operate at right-back and previously impressed in that position under Kieran McKenna at Ipswich.
That would give Southampton another option alongside James Bree, while his availability on a free transfer makes the move particularly attractive.
For the Saints, this could be a deal worth taking seriously.
West Ham United
West Ham United began their Championship campaign with a 2-2 draw against Burnley, with Zian Flemming’s late brace ensuring both relegated sides shared the points.
The Hammers had hoped to bring Axel Disasi back to the London Stadium this summer, but the French defender now appears set to remain in the Premier League, leaving Nuno Espírito Santo needing another solution.
Joel Veltman’s arrival has added experience to the defensive unit, but West Ham could still lose Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo and El Hadji Malick Diouf before the transfer deadline.
That makes strengthening the back line an important priority.
Tuanzebe could be an ideal low-cost addition.
At 28, he would bring valuable experience while providing genuine competition for Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos at centre-back. His ability to operate on the right would also give Nuno another option alongside Kyle Walker-Peters.
Most importantly, West Ham could secure his services without paying a transfer fee.
Tuanzebe has already played for Aston Villa and Burnley, and a move to West Ham would give him experience with another famous Claret-and-Blue club.
For a team looking to return to the Premier League, adding a defender with his experience could prove to be a smart piece of business.
Wrexham
Wrexham are also expected to strengthen at centre-back before the September deadline, with the Red Dragons reportedly looking to add one or even two defenders to Phil Parkinson’s squad.
The club have invested heavily across the pitch in recent transfer windows, but aside from Callum Doyle, relatively little has been spent on their centre-back options.
A move for Norwegian defender Henrik Falchener has been reported, while Leicester City’s Australian centre-back Harry Souttar has also been linked with a switch to North Wales.
However, Tuanzebe could represent an opportunity to make a significant upgrade without paying a transfer fee.
Parkinson has favoured a back three during his time at the Racecourse Ground, and Tuanzebe’s ability to operate on the right side of a three-man defence could make him an excellent fit.
The major question would be his wage demands.
But given Wrexham’s ambitions and financial backing, that may not be an insurmountable obstacle. Adding a player with Premier League, Champions League and World Cup experience would give Parkinson’s squad another valuable source of quality and leadership.
For Wrexham, this could be exactly the type of experienced signing that helps turn promotion ambitions into reality.
Where should Tuanzebe go?
Burnley may have missed an opportunity to retain an experienced defender, but their loss could become another Championship club’s gain.
Southampton need defensive depth, West Ham require reinforcements and Wrexham are actively looking for centre-backs. With Tuanzebe available without a transfer fee, all three clubs have reasons to explore a deal.
Where do you think Axel Tuanzebe should go this summer? Would you like to see him at your club? Let us know in the comments.