Manchester United are actively “exploring” a deal to sign Bayern Munich fullback Noussair Mazraoui with “concrete talks” taking place between the two clubs.

Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports) reveals the Moroccan international is at the “top of the list” for the Red Devils as they continue to overhaul Erik ten Hag’s defensive unit.

Tweet: “EXCL | Manchester United and West Ham exploring deal to sign Noussair #Mazraoui!

First concrete talks took place. Mazraoui is at the top of the list for both clubs and he’s keen to play Premier League. #MUFC | #WHUFC. The 26 y/o right-back can leave FC Bayern now. Originally they demanded €30m. However, the market does not support this amount. Now, Bayern pushing to get €20-25m. Most realistic price: €15-20m all-in. Contract valid until 2026.”

Plettenberg contends Bayern are pushing for a price in the region of €20-25 million for their right-back but that a more “realistic” fee will be at the €15-20 million mark. Their initial valuation had been €30 million at the beginning of the summer window but there were no takers at that price.

Mazraoui, 26, has only two years remaining on his deal at the Allianz Arena, meaning this summer will be the last opportunity for the German club to generate meaningful revenue from his sale. He is said to be “keen to play [in the] Premier League” and the opportunity to reconnect with Ten Hag at Old Trafford will likely be a driving factor.

The pair enjoyed great success at Ajax, the club who raised Mazraoui after he joined at 7 years of age, winning three Eredivisie championships together, as well as two KNVB Cups and a Super Cup, across Ten Hag’s five years at the helm in Amsterdam.

In the same summer the Dutch manager relocated to Manchester, Mazraoui too departed Ajax, joining Bayern on a free transfer as his contract had expired. It has not been a successful period for the Moroccan in Bavaria, however.

Across the last two seasons, Mazraoui has only played an average of 19 Bundesliga games a year. He has been unable to establish himself as a first-choice option under either Julian Nagelsmann or Thomas Tuchel; and, now, it appears Vincent Kompany is also happy to discard the 26-year-old defender.

Plettenberg reveals West Ham also have Mazraoui at the “top of the[ir] list” as the London club hunts for a new right-back.

As explained in greater detail here, the Hammers are interested in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with United open to the English fullback leaving. The Red Devils are not actively seeking to sell the 26-year-old but there is acceptance at Old Trafford that a bid in the region of £15-20 million would be a good deal for a player with only twelve months remaining on his contract.

Wan-Bissaka has always felt an awkward fit in Ten Hag’s system, which demands high levels of technical ability from his fullbacks. Where the former Crystal Palace man is lacking in technique, Mazraoui possesses it in abundance.

This skillset also enables the Moroccan international to switch to left-back as he is comfortable playing with his weaker foot. Given the devastating impact the long-term injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia had on United’s fortunes last season, a new right-back who can easily deputise on the opposite flank will be a welcome addition to Ten Hag’s squad.

If a deal can be agreed to sell Wan-Bissaka for £15-20 million to West Ham and Mazraoui is secured from Bayern for a fee in the region of €15-20 million as his replacement, this will represent another astute piece of business by INEOS in an impressive first transfer window as the new rulers at Old Trafford.

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