Manchester United have potentially saved millions if they secure a £21million move for Noussair Mazraoui this summer. The Red Devils are reportedly in discussions with Bayern Munich over a deal for the defender, but are waiting on Aaron Wan-Bissaka to agree an exit to West Ham.
Mazraoui would fulfil Erik ten Hag’s ambition of having attacking full-backs. The 26-year-old struck 10 goals and registered nine assists in 137 appearances under the Dutchman at former club Ajax.
United will seal a rare bargain if they land Mazraoui. The Red Devils are often quoted huge prices for transfer targets. They have already had to pay slightly inflated fees for Leny Yoro (£52m) and Joshua Zirkzee (£34m).
But having swooped in to hijack West Ham’s move for Mazraoui, INEOS chiefs will avoid being told to pay a premium. It was widely claimed that the Hammers had agreed to pay Bayern £16m for the player.
United will pay only £5m more in a rare opportunity to sign a player for under £30m. Of the nine players Ten Hag has signed for a transfer fee, only Altay Bayindir and Tyrell Malacia have cost under £30m, proving that rivals often take advantage of the Premier League side’s ability to offer huge figures.
According to Foot Mercato, Mazraoui’s move will only go through if Wan-Bissaka agrees to join West Ham. the 26-year-old has spent five years at United but could be moved on to help fund further deals at Old Trafford this summer.
Wan-Bissaka’s attacking output has often come under scrutiny, with Ten Hag preferring Diogo Dalot on the right of a back four. Mazraoui’s impending arrival renders the former Crystal Palace star surplus to requirements.
Should both transfers go through, United will be getting a bargain deal for Mazraoui. His potential arrival would help immediately improve Ten Hag’s side – something many of United’s more expensive signings have failed to do over the last decade.
INEOS will hope to bring down United’s average expenditure during transfer windows. More deals like Mazraoui where they convince selling teams to relinquish their stars for smaller prices would be hugely beneficial and save them plenty of cash.
Mazraoui will be part of a new-look back four at Old Trafford next season. Yoro’s arrival from Lille was confirmed a fortnight ago, while some reports suggest that another centre-back could be signed. Ten Hag will hope to keep Luke Shaw fit for the whole of next season having scarcely been able to call upon the left-back last term.
