- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Manchester United are in talks with Aaron Wan Bissaka over a new contract at the club rather than just taking up the one-year extension in his deal, HITC Football understands.
The right-back position at Old Trafford has been one that has been up for debate for a while with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka fighting it out for a spot in the first-team.
United are understood to be happy with the defender’s progress in the first-team and sources have revealed there’s an openness from the club to open talks over a long-term contract.
After a slow start, Erik ten Hag brought the Englishman back into the first team in the second half of last season and the former Crystal Palace right-back was very impressive.
Wan-Bissaka talks on
As mentioned, these talks are underway but United are understood to be keen on lowering the defender’s pay and they hope they can offset this with a longer contract, which is something that Wan-Bissaka’s camp is open to.
United have been assessing options in the transfer market at right-back for some time but they feel keeping the Englishman could be the most sensible way forward with Dalot recently putting pen to paper on a new contract.
The Red Devils are understood to have been monitoring some European options in recent weeks with Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries and Girona defender Arnau Martinez believed to be of interest.
Hannibal decision
As well as Wan-Bissaka, HITC Football also understands that the Red Devils are in talks with Hannibal Mejbri’s camp to tie him down to a longer-term contract, too.
The Tunisian midfielder has struggled for game time as of late for United and questions have arisen about his long-term future at the club.
Similar to Wan Bissaka, the Red Devils have the option to extend the defender’s contract by a year but are understood to prefer to tie the 20-year-old down to a longer-term deal.
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