2 hours ago
16
Aston Villa have entered discussions with West Ham United over a potential move for right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, looking to capitalize on the Hammers’ relegation to the EFL Championship. The move would give Villa manager Unai Emery a proven Premier League defender to compete with current first-choice right-back Matty Cash.
West Ham value Wan-Bissaka at £25 million, a significant markup from the £15 million they paid Manchester United to sign him in August 2024. That kind of price inflation after a relegation season is bold, to say the least.
Why Wan-Bissaka, why now
Villa’s interest in strengthening at right-back is not new, but previous targets, including Emerson Royal, reportedly failed to materialize. West Ham’s relegation, confirmed on May 24, 2026, after they finished 18th in the Premier League, means the club is under pressure to offload higher-earning players to comply with Championship financial realities.
West Ham want to recoup value on a player who still has five years left on a seven-year contract running through June 2031. Villa, meanwhile, are hunting for a deal that reflects the seller’s weakened negotiating position.
The 28-year-old has logged 65 appearances across two seasons at West Ham, maintaining his reputation as one of the more reliable one-on-one defenders in English football. His international profile has also grown. Wan-Bissaka represented DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup, adding tournament experience at the highest level to his resume.
West Ham’s relegation fire sale
The £25 million valuation West Ham have placed on Wan-Bissaka reflects the length of his remaining contract rather than his current market standing. Five years of contract control gives West Ham leverage, despite their relegation.
The talks between the two clubs, opened in mid-August 2026, are described as exploratory at this stage. Wan-Bissaka’s journey from Crystal Palace academy product to Manchester United’s £50 million signing, where he made 190 appearances and contributed to EFL Cup and FA Cup victories, to West Ham’s relegated squad has been anything but linear.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
English (US) ·