Crystal Palace signing Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is ‘the realistic option’ as they search for a new full-back, the Daily Express’ Ryan Taylor has told GiveMeSport.
The 25-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford under the management of Erik ten Hag and he’s expected to seek pastures new in January if a replacement can be found for him.
Crystal Palace transfer news – Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Back in June, Metro reported that Ten Hag had informed Wan-Bissaka that he was free to leave the club as he did not feature in the Dutchman’s first-team plans.
BBC Sport then disclosed that Palace, the right-back’s former club, were interested in re-signing him as intrigue in his services began to ramp up, just three years after he departed south London for £50 million.
And The Athletic revealed in the final days of the summer transfer window that both the Eagles and West Ham saw approaches for Wan-Bissaka rejected by the Red Devils as it would have been too late to bring in a replacement.
The former England Under-21 international has only played four minutes in all competitions this season with those coming off the substitute’s bench against Liverpool.
What has Taylor said about Wan-Bissaka?
Right-back is an area of weakness for Palace at present, and Taylor has informed GiveMeSport that bringing Wan-Bissaka back to the club is the obvious solution.
He said: “I think Wan-Bissaka would obviously be the realistic option. I think it's clear he's going to leave United in January, to be honest, provided they get a replacement in.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
“Palace and West Ham tried to get him in the final stages of the summer window, but United didn't have enough time to get a replacement.
“So, I think I expect Palace to look at Wan-Bissaka and maybe other targets if the right one crops up.”
Would Wan-Bissaka be a good signing?
Wan-Bissaka, who earns £90,000-per-week, has struggled in an attacking sense since making the switch to United, registering just two goals and 10 assists in 127 appearances.
However, the 6 foot ace has thrived when asked to defend, ranking in the 99th percentile for interceptions and the 97th for tackles amongst his positional peers over the last year, as per FBref.
With respect to Palace, Wan-Bissaka would be required to defend a lot more should he return to Selhurst Park while there would also be less emphasis on his ability in the final third of the pitch.
Therefore, a move back to his boyhood club could suit all concerned parties, and Wan-Bissaka may be able to revive his stuttering career at Palace.