West Ham were thought to have got the thin end of the wedge when we paid £15m for Aaron Wan Bissaka back in the summer transfer window.
It may seem like a long time ago in the ever changing world of the Hammers but The West Ham transfer news looked slightly different back then.
At that time Noussair Mazraoui was the prime West Ham transfer target and Tim Steidten was very close to finalising a deal with Bayern Munich. Unfortunately, Manchester United stepped in, scuppered the deal and turned the players head.
As a result, the Hammers were forced to look at second choice Wan Bissaka who had become something of a squad player at Old Trafford. The former Crystal Palace full-back had fallen a long way since his £50m move from Selhurst Park and Man U couldn’t wait to get rid of him.
The Red Devils manager at the time-Erik ten Hag-was understood to want a more attacking option on the flank rather than AWB who had a reputation of a no-nonsense defender.
Fast forward to yesterday and Obi Wan could be seen skipping down the wing at the Emirates providing an assist for skipper Jarrod Bowen. The jinky run was nothing out of the ordinary of course, the summer signing has been doing it all season.
With two goals to his name and the second most completed dribbles of any defender in The Premier League, Wan Bissaka seems to be the complete defender.
In many respects, West Ham seem to have got the player Manchester United thought they were getting when they paid the Eagles £50m.
Man U’s loss is very much the hammers gain as AWB continues his march towards the HOTY award.
I tell you what. . . .I wouldn’t swap him for Noussair Mazraoui.
AWB has been class for us. Hammer of the year nailed, with Scarles flying on the other side. Those full-back/wing-back worries are subsiding. But what wages are we paying him (AWB) before we celebrate him being cheap as chips? And is Gonzo contributing given how much he is raking in from these sh*** adverts?
AWB was on an expiring contract and was not looking to renew, he didn’t warrant a high transfer fee however good he is and however much had been paid for him in the past.
It was thought at the time that Steidten targetted Masrauoui in order to force Man Utds hand, going for their AWB replacement hurried them up.
That’s a known Steidten ploy, the circumstances suited it perfectly so it would seem likely that is what he did.
Yes John agree 100 per cent Stiedten was a great asset to us
Yes, that’s how I remember it too. We were always after Wan-Bissaka and it was a Steidten ploy to target Masrauoui to force Man United’s hand. It appears that nobody told Gonzo!
Are we finally admitting Stiedten got it right and SULLIVAN got it WRONG WOW
I thought we were always after awb and we entered the race for mazroui to push through awb,s transfer. What a give away awb is. More of the same please
Could someone tell me how I’m supposed to read any article without this stupid f***ING Micky 17 advert covering the screen
Brave Browser. Not a single ad.
Seconded. Never seen a single ad.
Its annoying as hell and I usually just close the page and go the read same story elsewhere where the ads dont cover the entire story
He has been terrific. Massive upgrade to the RB/RWB position for us. Love him!
And the best part is that he’s still pretty young…
“West Ham were thought to have got the thin end of the wedge when we paid £15m for Aaron Wan Bissaka back in the summer transfer window.”
By whom? Everybody thought it was a fantastic bit of business and that he’d be an immediate upgrade on Coufal.
Indeed, I’ve never heard that voiced anywhere.