Wan-Bissaka a good shout to replace Ben Johnson

West Ham United‘s right-back position is a growing concern and with Ben Johnson expected to leave on a free transfer, I’m somewhat concerned about the squads lack of depth in that position. We all want to see quick, younger new full-backs on both sides to compete and share the load with Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri, however there may be an option hiding in plain sight.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the 26-year-old Manchester United defender, has once again emerged as a potential target, reigniting a transfer saga that has simmered for several windows. On the face of it, the link would appear an old one from the days when David Moyes was chasing the player but would it really be such a bad idea?

Wan-Bissaka is a decent player and one I’m not too quick to dismiss. Renowned for his tackling and one-on-one defending, he could provide much-needed stability to West Ham’s backline. There’s also a curious managerial connection – Julen Lopertgui, currently at the West Ham helm, apparently expressed interest in Wan-Bissaka while managing Wolverhampton Wanderers. Additionally, the player’s agent’s links (Will Salthouse) to West Ham’s ownership could potentially smoothen negotiations.

However, doubts linger. The £12 million price tag demanded by Manchester United might be a stretch for West Ham’s transfer budget, but it is worth remembering that he was a £50m player. While Wan-Bissaka excels defensively, his attacking contributions are limited. At 26, he doesn’t entirely fulfil the need desire for a young, dynamic full-back but also doesn’t have too many miles on the clock. Some will argue that West Ham could find better long-term value by pursuing younger players with a more balanced skillset, however he is 26 and still significantly younger than Coufal.