Manchester United could be close to securing their third signing of the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have already recruited Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro this summer and they have now received a boost with West Ham United pulling out of talks for Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui.
The Hammers recently reached an agreement over the transfer fee as well as personal terms, but they have walked out of the deal after failing to agree terms with his agent, as per Florian Plettenberg.
United are now pushing to sign the former Ajax star. They are in advanced talks for his services.
The Red Devils are considering the departure of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The 26-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and could be sold in the near future.
The club are trying to find a successor in advance, but we don’t believe Mazraoui would be a good fit.
The Moroccan is a right-back by trade, but he made a handful of appearances at left-back last term. United could consider him for both roles under manager Erik ten Hag.
Mazraoui is a solid ball-playing defender. He had a passing accuracy of 90 percent last season with an average of 3.9 duels won. He also registered 3.3 recoveries, 1.7 tackles and 1.2 clearances per game.
The four-time league winner registered four assists from 1,982 minutes, but his injury record is a concern.
He has missed 30 games for club and country over the last two years with multiple setbacks. United don’t need another injury-plagued defender in their squad next term.
Diogo Dalot was the only fit full-back for the whole of last season. Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia all spent time on the sidelines with respective injuries.
Mazraoui is available on the cheap with a price of £13 million plus £4.5 in add-ons, but he would not represent a good piece of business due to his fitness concerns.
Still, we won’t be surprised if United go through with the deal. Ten Hag managed Mazraoui during his time at Ajax and believes he could unlock the potential of Antony.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
