West Ham looked to have finally made a breakthrough over the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka but Man United have moved the goalposts.
Amid all the claims and counter claims, West Ham told Hammers News the truth about a deal with Manchester United for Aaron Wan-Bissaka yesterday.
Negotiations between the Hammers and Red Devils over Wan-Bissaka were off last week. Albeit temporarily.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten launched a cunning bid for Man United right-back target Noussair Mazraoui of Bayern Munich as an alternative.
That was very much done by design as West Ham wanted to force Man United’s hand over Wan-Bissaka.
A top West Ham board source urged caution over West Ham’s talks with Man United.
Sean Whetstone claimed the same stumbling block which saw a West Ham move for Man United centre-back Harry Maguire collapse last summer was rearing its ugly head once again in the Wan-Bissaka deal.
West Ham and Man United saga continues
That being severance the player expects to receive from Manchester United.
Various sources and outlets have been tripping over themselves trying to be first to call the Wan-Bissaka deal.
But the fact is the right-back started for Manchester United in a 3-2 friendly win over Real Betis overnight.
And that is proof the deal is nowhere near as close as some, such as Sky Sports, have led fans to believe.
There finally looked to be progress this evening, though, after a claim from a French journalist.
As with most West Ham transfers, though, the saga continues it seems between the Irons and Manchester United.
West Ham will be furious with Man United’s actions after finally agreeing terms with Wan-Bissaka.
West Ham will be furious with Man United over Wan-Bissaka
Foot Mercato journalists Hanif Ben Berkane and Santi Aouna – who first broke news of Lucas Paqueta signing for West Ham – claim Man United have today told Mazraoui that the deal will be finalised.
That’s after Wan-Bissaka gave the green light to join West Ham.
But no sooner had that claim been made than Manchester United have moved the goalposts.
It had previously been reported that West Ham’s pursuit of Mazraoui had seen Old Trafford chiefs lower their asking price from £15m to £10m for Wan-Bissaka.
Now, after the Hammers finally reached agreement with the defender on personal terms, Man United have hiked the fee up to £18m.
That’s according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.
Man United hike price after Hammers agree terms
The German reporter confirmed that Wan-Bissaka has now agreed personal terms on a five-year deal with West Ham.
Only for Manchester United to raise the price, potentially throwing the move into doubt.
“West Ham have now reached a verbal agreement with Aaron Wan-Bissaka,” Plettenberg confirmed.
“Personal terms agreed. 26 year-old right-back can sign a contract until 2029 with West Ham.
“But no agreement with Man United yet. West Ham have made an offer of £10m. Man United demand up to £18m at this stage. Negotiations ongoing.”
This is seriously bad news and exactly what happened last year with Maguire.
But it was clear this move was nowhere near being done the moment Wan-Bissaka was named in that starting line up in the early hours.
Now Man United hold the cards because the player wants to come and West Ham need the player.
Realistically Manchester United could probably sign Mazraoui and keep Wan-Bissaka without it impacting them too much financially.
Now it’s down to whether West Ham will bend to Man United’s new demands or turn their attentions elsewhere.
Julen Lopetegui and Steidten will be enormously frustrated and understandably so.
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