West Ham United could pull off a ‘big signing’ if they manage to lure Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka to the club, journalist Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport.
The Hammers have been linked with a move for the out-of-favour 25-year-old since the summer and could finally secure his signature following the conclusion of the current campaign.
West Ham transfer news – Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Back in August, The Athletic disclosed in the final stages of the transfer window that both Crystal Palace and West Ham saw approaches for Wan-Bissaka rejected by the Red Devils.
It was claimed that the 20-time English champions turned down the approaches for the full-back, who was signed for £50 million, as it would have been too late to bring in a replacement.
The Manchester Evening News then stated in December that West Ham were still eager to snap up Wan-Bissaka on loan during the winter window.
And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano backed up that claim, reporting that the east London outfit ‘remain interested’ in the right-back alongside Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A formal offer never arrived for Wan-Bissaka last month, though, and he has been given an opportunity to shine by Erik ten Hag due to Diogo Dalot’s injury issues.
What has O’Rourke said about Wan-Bissaka?
O’Rourke has been impressed with Wan-Bissaka’s upturn in form of late and believes his performances highlight why United paid such a big fee for him in the first place.
In an interview with GMS, he said: “Wan-Bissaka, I think, since he got back in that Manchester United team in recent weeks has been excellent.
“And he’s starting to show the form that made Manchester United pay all that money from Crystal Palace as well. So, if they could land Wan-Bissaka in the summer, I think it'd be a big signing for them.”
How has Wan-Bissaka been playing?
Wan-Bissaka may now be firmly behind Dalot in Ten Hag’s pecking order at right-back, but he still started seven Premier League games in a row from the end of December to the start of February.
The former England Under-21 international put in some eye-catching displays during that run of game time, helping to keep three clean sheets and record five victories.
As per WhoScored, Wan-Bissaka has averaged two tackles and 1.4 interceptions per top-flight outing this season, placing him in the top four for both metrics among his teammates.
Wan-Bissaka, who earns £100,000-per-week, would surely have a lot to offer West Ham, therefore, bolstering David Moyes’ backline.