Man Utd 'strike agreement' for £21m transfer but INEOS have final hurdle to overcome

Manchester United have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. However, Erik ten Hag’s plan to upgrade at right-back may rely on Aaron Wan-Bissaka accepting an exit from Old Trafford.

It is claimed that the Red Devils are closing in on a move for Mazraoui as their third summer signing. The defender would join Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro in joining United should a switch materialise.

Ten Hag has been keen to upgrade at right-back. Wan-Bissaka’s attacking capabilities have been under scrutiny since his 2019 switch from Crystal Palace, while Diogo Dalot has often been viewed as the first choice in the position.

According to Foot Mercado, United have verbally agreed a £21m deal with Bayern to sign Mazraoui. But the deal could reportedly hinge on whether Wan-Bissaka can come to an agreement with Premier League rivals West Ham over personal terms.

The Hammers had actually been linked with Mazraoui earlier in the window but failed to sign the 26-year-old. They have since turned their attention to Wan-Bissaka and are reportedly attempting to thrash out personal terms with the United star.

United will hope that West Ham can come to an agreement with the 26-year-old as they attempt to finalise their own move for Mazraoui. The former Ajax star has reportedly already agreed to join the Old Trafford outfit.

His move would be another deal in which United have signed a player who has previously worked under Ten Hag. Mazraoui made 137 appearances during Ten Hag’s time at Ajax, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in that time.

The Dutch boss has been keen to sign full-backs who produce better attacking numbers than Wan-Bissaka and Dalot. The former has scored only two goals during his five years at United.

Mazraoui has struggled since joining Bayern in 2022. He started only 15 Bundesliga matches last season.

Meanwhile, United will hope that injuries suffered by Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund in a 2-1 defeat by Arsenal on Saturday are not serious. £52m new boy Yoro limped off with what appeared to be an ankle problem, while Hojlund suffered what seemed to be a hamstring injury soon after opening the scoring.

Ten Hag said of his side’s performance: “I think [the game] was a very good level for the third week of pre-season, from both sides, but in the first half I thought we were the better team.

“We scored a very good goal, a very good ball in behind from [Marcus] Rashford and then [Rasmus] Hojlund with a very good move and a finish, I was very pleased. We also created some more good chances and we then conceded the goal which was offside.”