DEFENDER AGREES PERSONAL TERMS ON MANCHESTER UNITED DEPARTURE

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is on the verge of sealing a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray after agreeing personal terms on a deal that will end his five-year stint at Old Trafford. 

The right-back was plagued with injuries throughout the 2023/24 campaign and was limited to 22 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils. He has made 190 appearances in all competitions over five years since arriving from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2019.

Wan-Bissaka Arguably the Best Defensive Full-Back in the Premier League

There has never been any doubt as to the player’s defensive abilities. Very few wingers have managed to get the better of the defender in one-on-one situations over the years. He is also officially zero for errors leading to goals across 172 Premier League appearances and has turned up time and time again at Old Trafford when required.

The 26-year-old ranked first of all Manchester United players with 1.9 interceptions per game in league outings in 2023/24, with the nearest challenger to that total on 1.1 per game. That total leaves him joint-third of all defenders in the league who made more than 10 appearances and Wan-Bissaka’s defensive attributes cannot be beaten by any player in his position currently playing their trade in England’s top-flight.

It is his lack of prowess in attacking areas that has seen him lose his spot as first choice in Erik ten Hag’s side. He has scored just two Premier League goals in his career and the emergence of Diogo Dalot, who may not have the defensive capabilities of the former Crystal Palace player but is a major threat on the right-flank and moving into midfield, has seen his prospects at the club appear uncertain.

Luke Shaw and Dalot are the first-choice full-back pairing and this has made the player seek pastures elsewhere to ensure first-team football. Manchester United’s number 29 is far too talented of a defender to sit on the sidelines moving into the prime years of his career.

Galatasaray Looking for Sacha Boey’s Replacement

The Turkish champions are reportedly in talks with United, who are asking for a fee in the region of 15 million euros (£12.68 million) for the defender, according to reputable Turkish outlet Fanatik. The player has reportedly agreed to a salary of 3.5 million euros and with the difference in valuation appearing minimal per the report, a deal can likely be struck between the clubs if reports are to be believed.

Galatasaray took four points from United in this season’s Champions League campaign in two thrilling games that featured 11 goals to knock their English opponents out at the group stage. Both of those encounters featured Sacha Boey at right-back who had been a fixture at right-back since arriving in Turkey in 2021 from the French side Stade Rennais FC. Boey has excellent defensive abilities and Wan-Bissaka will be an adequate replacement for the former France under-20 international who is looking to break into the French national team.

Boey left to join Bayern Munich in January after a period of lengthy negotiations to replace Benjamin Pavard, who moved to Inter Milan last summer. The 23-year-old has failed to dislodge Joshua Kimmich at Bayern, making just one Bundesliga start since his move to Germany, a 3-0 defeat to league champions Bayer Leverkusen.

The rumoured fee for Wan-Bissaka is a steal for Galatasaray and it represents a good deal for both clubs if the player is not in the manager’s thinking, as his current deal has entered into its final 12 months. The Red Devils need to bring a replacement to be an understudy for Dalot, with no other senior options available at right-back should the deal for Wan-Bissaka go through.

2024-06-23T14:07:58Z dg43tfdfdgfd