West Ham United’s pursuit of Bayern Munich right-back Noussair Mazraoui is set to end fruitlessly.
According to Florian Plettenberg, despite reaching an agreement with the German giants to sign the player for €15.5 million plus €4m in add-ons, the Hammers have pulled out of negotiations.
The primary obstacle appears to be a disagreement over the player’s agent’s terms. With the two parties unable to bridge the gap, West Ham have decided to terminate talks.
The unexpected development has opened the door for Manchester United. Man United are now in advanced negotiations to secure Mazraoui’s services.
The Red Devils have identified the Moroccan international as a crucial target to bolster their defensive options.
As it stands, Mazraoui looks set to swap the Allianz Arena for Old Trafford, leaving West Ham to return to the drawing board in their search for a new right-back.
Mazraoui to Man United is a blessing in disguise
In hindsight, West Ham may have dodged a bullet with Mazraoui. The Moroccan defender is undoubtedly talented but has a concerning injury record that has hindered his progress at Bayern Munich.
Last season, he missed 19 games due to injuries. He struggled for consistency when he returned from the setbacks.
It is never a great idea to add injury-prone players. It is a risky gamble that can derail the coming season.
This unexpected turn of events could be a blessing in disguise for West Ham. With Mazraoui off the table, the club can now explore other options, potentially at a lower cost.
Interestingly, Mazraoui joining Man United paves the way for West Ham to swoop for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The former Crystal Palace man offers Premier League experience, defensive solidity, and a relatively clean injury record.
Wan-Bissaka is not the finest technically or the most exciting attacking outlet, but he provides excellent defensive coverage. He mostly delivers seven over ten performances – a reliable defender any day, any time.