Crystal Palace have been linked with re-signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United this month and it seems as if the Eagles are confident that they will win the race for the right-back.

What's the word?

Ever since Erik ten Hag arrived as the new manager at Old Trafford, it has seemed clear that Wan-Bissaka doesn't have a future with the Red Devils, so it was only natural to see the Eagles linked with signing him, more than three years on from his £50m move from Selhurst Park.

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook provided the latest on the 25-year-old, suggesting that he could still leave on loan this month despite reclaiming his starting spot in the absence of Diego Dalot following the World Cup.

He said: “In terms of Wan-Bissaka, I know Wolves are very keen but Crystal Palace feel that if he goes anywhere, he will go back there. But I think United would need to bring in a right-back as cover because Dalot has been injured since the World Cup. To be fair, Wan-Bissaka has taken his chance quite well.”

He could be unstoppable for Vieira

This season has seen Patrick Vieira alternate between Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne as the starting options at right-back and given they are 33 and 31 respectively, it is obvious that a long-term solution is needed in that position.

According to WhoScored, the two experienced defenders have earned 6.51 and 6.27 average ratings for their performances in the top flight so far this campaign, which ranks them as the 11th-best and 14th-best players in Vieira's squad, indicating that the Frenchman urgently needs an upgrade in the January window.

In Wan-Bissaka, they could be presented with an unstoppable force down the right-hand side once again.

While the United full-back was cast aside by Ten Hag for the first half of the season, he has really caught the eye in recent wins, helping United to clean sheets in his last five starts in all competitions, earning an impressive 6.85 rating from WhoScored for his displays in the top flight.

The strong defender, who was duly labelled "unstoppable" by Dave O’Grady back in 2019, has always had his limitations going forward but could help to make Palace a much more secure defensive outfit should he return to Selhurst Park this month.

Indeed, he ranks in the top 3% of players in his position throughout Europe's top five leagues for interceptions and sits within the very best 1% for tackles, as per FBRef. As for Clyne and Ward, they rank poorly, sitting in the worst 10% and the worst 18% respectively for tackles.

It is clear that Vieira does need to strengthen in that position given Ward and Clyne's underwhelming form and advanced age, so it can only be good news that Palace are reportedly confident of Wan-Bissaka's return. He could well be an unstoppable defensive menace upon his return to London.