Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement with Crystal Palace over a transfer fee for priority transfer target Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Manchester United’s pursuit to sign right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace is set to reach a satisfying conclusion, as a report from the Daily Record claims that the Red Devils have agreed a fee of £55 million with the Eagles for the 21-year-old’s transfer.
Wan-Bissaka, a graduate of the Crystal Palace youth academy, burst into the senior team towards the end of the 2017-18 season and has gone on to establish himself as the first-choice right-back ever since. The last season saw the 21-year-old make 39 appearances, registering four assists in the process.
The England U-21 international’s impressive performances in his first full season in the Premier League were enough to convince Manchester United to prioritize his signing this summer. The 20-time English champions are in need of a new right-back, with Antonio Valencia leaving the club and Ashley Young looking well past his prime this past season.
With Matteo Darmian also reported to be headed for an exit from Old Trafford, Manchester United would have been left with just Diogo Dalot as the only recognized right-sided full-back. This has led to the Red Devils making a new right-back a top priority with Wan-Bissaka emerging as their primary target.
To that end, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were reported to have made an offer of £35 million plus £15 million in performance-related bonuses for the 21-year-old, which Crystal Palace had knocked back. Crystal Palace had deemed the offer for their prized asset unrealistic and derogatory and had told Manchester United to restructure their offer.
Manchester United have responded with an improved offer of £55 million for the England U-21 international according to the Daily Record, which Crystal Palace are believed to have accepted. This would make Wan-Bissaka the most expensive specialist full-back in the world, with the transfer fee set to eclipse the €57.5 million Manchester City paid AS Monaco for Benjamin Mendy.
Much like last summer, this transfer window has also seen Manchester United make a very slow start. Manager Solskjaer wanted to get most of the business done by the time the team returns to training on July 1, but the 20-time English champions have only snapped up youngster Daniel James till date.
However, it now seems that they are closing in on their second signing of the summer, with a fee being agreed with Crystal Palace for Wan-Bissaka. The 21-year-old, who is currently participating in the UEFA European U-21 Championship with England, is keen on a move to Old Trafford and with the two clubs arriving at an agreement, a contract is likely to be hashed out in the coming weeks.
