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Manchester United Nears Deal for Bayern's Mazraoui Amid Wan-Bissaka Sale Talks

2024-07-28 00:00
association football club in Manchester, England
association football club in Munich, Germany
Moroccan footballer
English association football player
  • Manchester United has reportedly agreed on a fee for Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.
  • The completion of this transfer is contingent upon the sale of current player Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
  • This move indicates Manchester United's strategic efforts to strengthen their defensive lineup.

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Insights

Manchester United is reportedly on the verge of signing Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, with a transfer fee agreed between £15 million and £20 million. However, the deal hinges on the sale of current right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, as the club needs to generate funds to facilitate the transfer. Wan-Bissaka, who has a year remaining on his contract, is a target for West Ham, but negotiations for a suitable price are still ongoing. Mazraoui, who previously played under United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, was initially set to join West Ham before that deal fell through. Ten Hag is keen on reuniting with the 26-year-old, believing he can enhance the performance of Antony, with whom Mazraoui formed a successful partnership during their time at Ajax. Their collaboration was instrumental in securing two consecutive league titles for the Dutch club. In addition to the right-back situation, Manchester United is facing challenges at left-back. First-choice Luke Shaw is absent from the US tour due to his participation in the European Championship and has a history of injuries. Meanwhile, Tyrell Malacia, who would typically serve as Shaw's backup, is sidelined after missing the entire previous season due to a knee injury. This situation may prompt United to explore the market for a left-back, but, similar to the Mazraoui deal, any new acquisitions would require financial backing from player sales.

Contexts

Manchester United is in the midst of significant roster changes as they prepare for the upcoming season. On July 14, 2024, they completed a €42.5 million deal for Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, signaling a new era under Ineos ownership. This move, alongside attempts to secure other Dutch players like Matthijs De Ligt, highlights the club's ambition to strengthen its squad. However, the team's recent pre-season friendly against Arsenal on July 28, 2024, raised concerns about squad depth, as injuries to Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro during the match, which ended in a 2-2 draw, put pressure on the roster. Additionally, the arrival of Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich may be in response to these challenges, particularly as it is contingent on the transfer of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, reflecting the club's ongoing efforts to reinforce its defensive line amidst these injury concerns.

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