West Ham United are reportedly yet to meet Manchester United's price demands for right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, despite reaching a verbal agreement with the player.
The Red Devils were at risk of losing the right-back on a free transfer at the end of the 2023-24 season, but they avoided that scenario by triggering a 12-month extension in his contract in January.
However, Wan-Bissaka has not been rewarded with a long-term renewal at Old Trafford, meaning that he could become a free agent in 2025, six years after his £50m arrival from Crystal Palace.
As no contract extension is thought to be in the pipeline, Man United are working to offload the 26-year-old for a cut-price fee this summer, and West Ham have been making strong progress in their efforts to bring him to the London Stadium.
Julen Lopetegui's men are now understood to have reached a verbal agreement over personal terms with Wan-Bissaka, who has given the green light to a five-year deal at the London Stadium until the summer of 2029.
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West Ham '£8m short' of Man United valuation
However, West Ham and Man United are yet to shake hands on a fee, as journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that the two clubs are still around £8m apart on their respective valuations.
The Hammers are said to have submitted a £10m bid for the ex-Eagles starlet, but Man United - who have accepted that they will make a significant loss either way - are hopeful of recouping around £18m.
The Premier League rivals are still locked in negotiations over a deal, and there is confidence that Lopetegui will eventually get his man, even if both teams will have to compromise on price.
Wan-Bissaka's move to West Ham could be accelerated if Man United wrap up a deal for Bayern Munich's Noussair Mazraoui, who was formerly in talks with the Irons before negotiations collapsed.
However, the former Ajax protege has been included in Bayern's squad for their pre-season tour of South Korea, suggesting that a switch to Old Trafford will not go through imminently.
Is £18m a fair price for Wan-Bissaka?
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Considering that Man United had no qualms about paying Palace £50m for Wan-Bissaka five years ago, £18m seems like a bargain transfer for the 26-year-old at a first glance.
It can be argued that the defender has not quite hit the heights expected of him in an attacking sense at Man United, where his 190 appearances have produced just two goals and 13 assists.
However, Wan-Bissaka has been heralded as one of the best one-v-one full-backs in the Premier League, and he showcased his versatility last season by playing as a left-back on occasion.
The 26-year-old's contract situation means that West Ham will inevitably do their utmost to drive the price down, as if no sale is agreed this summer, Wan-Bissaka can sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January.
Nevertheless, taking Wan-Bissaka's age, home-grown status and often unrivalled defensive ability into account, £18m is absolutely a fair price, and one could not slam the Red Devils for perhaps asking for £20m.
Ben Knapton
