Manchester United are reportedly planning a £50 million double summer raid on Crystal Palace for the signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Patrick van Aanholt.
According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United are eyeing a double swoop for Crystal Palace defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Patrick van Aanholt in the summer window, in a bid to strengthen their vulnerable backline ahead of the next season.
After a disappointing 2018-19 season on so many levels, Manchester United have a huge transfer window ahead of them, as they look to bounce back strongly. However, the Red Devils will have to do so without the services of long-term servant Antonio Valencia, who will be on his way out of the club, with his contract expiring.
Valencia’s exit, coupled with Matteo Darmian’s impending departure, could render Manchester United’s right-back department thin. The 20-time English champions will still have Diogo Dalot, but he is unlikely to be relied upon as the first-choice yet, while veteran Ashley Young has been anything but convincing.
In order to address this problem before next season, Manchester United have been linked with a summer switch for the 21-year-old Wan-Bissaka. The young full-back has had a spectacular 2018-19 campaign, as the Eagles finished in the 12th place in the Premier League. His solidity at the back and offensive output has caught the eye of United among a number of teams.
Wan-Bissaka is not the only Crystal Palace full-back to have piqued the interest of Manchester United as Dutch left-back Patrick van Aanholt has also emerged as a potential target for the Mancunian outfit after the disastrous campaign that they have had.
Luke Shaw, who won the club’s Player of the Year award, is the undisputed first-choice when it comes to the left-back slot at Manchester United. However, the Red Devils have precious little in terms of cover for the former Southampton man, leading to them using Dalot and Young in makeshift positions to little effect.
That is something the club are keen on rectifying moving forward next season and have cast admiring glances towards van Aanholt. The former Chelsea man has been with the Eagles for close to two years now and has grown into a key figure in the side, with his attacking nature and sheer energy making him an enticing option for Manchester United.
In Wan-Bissaka, Manchester United would have one of the hottest young properties in England who, along with Dalot, could address the club’s right-back problems for years to come. With van Aanholt, they will be getting an experienced, proven performer at this level, who would provide solid competition to Shaw for the left-back slot, increasing the team’s overall quality.
The Crystal Palace duo could end up costing Manchester United a transfer fee in the range of £50 million, but should they manage to get the deal over the line, it has the potential to be an excellent piece of business for the club. It remains to be seen though, if the Red Devils decide to act upon their interest on Wan-Bissaka and van Aanholt.
