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West Ham United are “close to agreeing a deal” to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka with Manchester United hoping to use the money from the sale to fund a pursuit of Bayern Munich fullback Noussair Mazraoui.
West Ham had emerged as a strong contender to sign Wan-Bissaka with the Julien Lopetegui keen to add a right-back to his squad ahead of the new season.
The Hammers had been agreed a deal with Bayern to sign Mazraoui themselves, only for the Moroccan to reject the move in favour of holding out for a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
However, for United to be able to afford a deal to sign Mazraoui, they would have to first sell Wan-Bissaka, who has only twelve months remaining on his contract in Manchester.
West Ham quickly changed tac and made an approach for the former Crystal Palace man but there were conflicting reports over whether personal terms would be able to be agreed.
Now, Dharmesh Sheth (Sky Sports) has revealed the London club have agreed “many aspects of [the] deal” for the 26-year-old right-back but there is still “work to do on [the] final fee and structure” of payment.
West Ham United close to agreeing a deal with Manchester United for signing of right-back Aaron wan-Bissaka. Many aspects of deal agreed in principle but work to do on final fee & structure. Degree of confidence compromise can be reached on gap in valuation. #WHUFC #MUFC
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) July 31, 2024
Tweet: “West Ham United close to agreeing a deal with Manchester United for signing of right-back Aaron wan-Bissaka. Many aspects of deal agreed in principle but work to do on final fee & structure. Degree of confidence compromise can be reached on gap in valuation. #WHUFC #MUFC”
The wording of this tweet, namely that there is work to do on the “final fee and structure” of the deal, suggests personal terms have been agreed between West Ham and Wan-Bissaka, and it’s simply a case of finding a “compromise” on the price.
United are seeking to extract as a high a fee as possible for their right-back to then enable Mazraoui to arrive as his replacement. Sheth reveals a deal for the Moroccan international will “proceed” if the sale of Wan-Bissaka goes through.
If and when deal agreed, Manchester United can proceed with their move for Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui. #MUFC #FCBayern https://t.co/Jvq9pfe21H
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) July 31, 2024
Tweet: “If and when deal agreed [for Wan-Bissaka}, Manchester United can proceed with their move for Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui.”
This continued interest in Mazraoui is confirmed by German transfer expert Florian Plettenberg.
Wan-Bissaka has never felt a comfortable fit in Ten Hag’s system. Given Diogo Dalot has firmly established himself as the Dutchman’s first-choice right-back and the Englishman has only twelve months remaining on his deal, a sale this summer is yet another sensible move by INEOS.
If Wan-Bissaka can then be replaced by the funds generated through his own sale, with a player deeply knowledgeable of Ten Hag’s tactical approach who is also adept at covering left-back, then that moves gets quickly bumped from sensible to superb.
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