Manchester United are on the verge of securing Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui, having settled on a transfer fee between £15 million and £20 million for the right-back. However, a potential impediment remains—the necessity to offload Aaron Wan-Bissaka to fund the acquisition.
Although the Moroccan defender was initially poised to join West Ham, that arrangement fell through. The east London club now seeks to procure Wan-Bissaka, yet a price amenable to United must be negotiated. Previously, West Ham had settled on a £12.6 million plus £2.3 million deal with the German club for Mazraoui.
Erik ten Hag, who mentored the 26-year-old at Ajax from 2018 until his transition to Old Trafford four years later, believes Noussair Mazraoui can bolster Antony’s performance. Mazraoui supported the Brazilian on the Dutch club’s right flank during their triumphant seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-2022, and they excelled as a duo.
For Mazraoui’s transfer to materialize, Wan-Bissaka, with one year remaining on his contract, must first depart. The defender, acquired from Crystal Palace for £45 million in June 2019, would command a fee of approximately £15 million.
United also face challenges at left-back. Ten Hag’s preferred choice, Luke Shaw, absent from the US tour due to his involvement in the European Championship, has a history of recurring injuries.
Tyrell Malacia, his understudy, missed the entirety of last season with a knee injury and was excluded from the tour squad to continue his rehabilitation at the club’s Carrington training complex.
This situation might compel United to enter the market for a left-back, though, akin to the Mazraoui deal, funds would need to be generated through player sales.
On Sunday, Ten Hag awaited the prognosis of injuries sustained by Rasmus Højlund and Leny Yoro in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
