Man United duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe ‘hold DR Congo talks’ over switch from England

Man United duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe ‘hold positive talks with DR Congo over switch of international allegiance from England’… with both defenders overlooked by Gareth Southgate

  • Neither Wan-Bissaka or Tuanzebe have been capped by England at senior level
  • Reports in DR Congo suggest they may switch their allegiance to African nation
  • DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre held ‘positive’ talks with Wan-Bissaka 

Manchester United duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe have reportedly held ‘positive’ talks over representing DR Congo at international level.

Both defenders have represented England at youth level but could still switch allegiance to the African nation with Gareth Southgate so far overlooking them for a senior debut.

Central defender Tuanzebe, currently on loan at Championship club Stoke City, was born in the Congolese city of Bunia, while right-back Wan-Bissaka is of Congolese descent.

A local publication there, Leopard Football Leader, reports that DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre spoke at length with Wan-Bissaka and says the United player would consider the offer, especially if they make the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.

Wan-Bissaka, 25, has previously made one under-20 appearance for DR Congo, an 8-0 friendly loss to England in October 2015, before playing twice for England’s under-20 side and three times for the Under-21s in 2018 and 2019.

Stoke City loanee Axel Tuanzebe on the ball

Manchester United defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka (left) and Axel Tuanzebe (right), currently out on loan at Stoke, could reportedly switch international allegiance to DR Congo

England manager Gareth Southgate has largely overlooked the defensive pair amid stiff competition for places in the Three Lions squad

England manager Gareth Southgate has largely overlooked the defensive pair amid stiff competition for places in the Three Lions squad

In May 2019, Wan-Bissaka reaffirmed his commitment to England and Southgate called him up in August of that year for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kosovo and Bulgaria.

However, he was forced to withdraw from that Three Lions squad with a back injury and, amid stiff right-back competition from Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold, he hasn’t been called up again.

Leopard Football Leader say talks were positive and Wan-Bissaka could switch allegiance in the near future.

They also say Tuanzebe, 25, who briefly looked on the cusp of a breakthrough at United when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was manager but has since been loaned out several times, is also open to playing for DR Congo.

He played for England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels between 2016 and 2017, but hasn’t received a senior call-up.

Right-back Wan-Bissaka has Congolese parents and has represented them at youth level

Right-back Wan-Bissaka has Congolese parents and has represented them at youth level

Tuanzebe has become something of a forgotten man at Old Trafford amid several loan spells

Tuanzebe has become something of a forgotten man at Old Trafford amid several loan spells

United manager Erik ten Hag decided to send Tuanzebe out on loan to Stoke at the end of January. That followed three separate loan spells with Aston Villa and an injury-affected stint with Napoli.

DR Congo have work to do if they are to make the AFCON next year. They currently sit bottom of their four-nation qualifying group having lost to Gabon and Sudan, before a 3-1 win over Mauritania.

They are due to play Mauritania in the reverse fixture on Tuesday.



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