Man Utd transfer hopes dashed as West Ham close in on Ten Hag target

Suraj Radia

25 Jul 2024 13:00 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United — © NOS/FootballTransfers

Manchester United’s transfer plans could be taking a significant hit as a Premier League rival closes in on one of Erik ten Hag’s top targets.

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United are operating under tight constraints after confirming the signings of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro this summer, with the club needing to sell players before they can continue to add to their squad.

While there is a determination to sign a midfielder such as Manuel Ugarte this summer, United also wish to strengthen in defence, particularly at full-back, due to uncertainty surrounding their current options.

Doubts remain over the fitness of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia at left-back, while an injury to Diogo Dalot has left Aaron Wan-Bissaka as United’s only senior full-back on their pre-season tour of the United States.

Despite the situation, United are also willing to sell Wan-Bissaka as he enters the final year of his contract, and West Ham were thought to be frontrunners to sign the 26-year-old.

However, West Ham are now understood to be close to signing another right-back Noussair Mazraoui, which would not only rule them out of the race to sign Wan-Bissaka but also take away one of Ten Hag’s ideal replacements for the United star.

© IMAGO - Noussair Mazraoui is close to joining West Ham.

Man Utd still in race for Mazraoui

West Ham and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement over Mazraoui, with Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claiming a deal worth €15.5 million plus €4m in add-ons has been struck.

United had been monitoring the situation surrounding Mazraoui, having considered the Moroccan a value addition to bolster the club’s depth at right-back.

Ten Hag was thought to be keen to link up with Mazraoui, having managed the 26-year-old at Ajax, with the belief that a reunion could also benefit Antony, who had enjoyed a strong partnership with the defender down the right hand side during his time in Amsterdam.

However, United could still have an opportunity to hijack any move for Mazraoui, with clarity still needed on certain financial aspects of West Ham’s deal, although the Hammers are understood to be leading the chase.

United were reportedly willing to sell Wan-Bissaka for a similar fee and they may still hold talks with West Ham to see if a deal for the English defender can be struck.