Leeds United have emerged as surprise candidates to swoop for a fierce Premier League rival’s player…
What’s the latest?
That’s according to 90min, who note the Whites’ interest in Manchester United outcast Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Signed for £50m in 2019, the English full-back has struggled for game-time since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure 13 months ago, with Diogo Dalot having now secured his spot in the team under Erik ten Hag.
That could prompt the 25-year-old to leave Old Trafford, with Elland Road among a number of potential destinations as Victor Orta shows an interest. Despite Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly leading the chase, Crystal Palace and West Ham United are also believed to be monitoring the situation.
Better than Kristensen?
This move may seem somewhat confusing by Leeds given the summer signing of Rasmus Kristensen, but the Denmark international has hardly made the position his own despite displacing Luke Ayling.
Offering little going forward, it remains to be seen whether the summer arrival is defensively sound enough to warrant a lack of attacking impetus. He is yet to score and has made just one assist so far this season.
His average output of 1.8 interceptions, 2.9 tackles and 2.4 clearances per game has merited his respectable 6.97 rating from Sofascore.
However, in Wan-Bissaka, Leeds would be gaining a player about whom Wes Brown said: "Defensively, in one-on-ones, he’s definitely one of the best I’ve ever seen”.
In what was the 25-year-old's best full season for the Red Devils since moving to the club, the 2020/21 campaign saw him record an impressive 7.14 rating, with an average of 1.8 interceptions, 2.6 tackles and 1.8 clearances per game (via Sofascore).
He paired this with 0.9 key passes per game, somewhat condemning the myth that he is ineffective going forward. He was also successful in 57% of his dribbles in that campaign.
Wan-Bissaka also had his then-manager Solskjaer revelling in a derby win against Manchester City three years ago, as the former United boss said: “Aaron is playing against…it's [Raheem] Sterling out there, it's [Riyad] Mahrez out there, it's [Kevin] De Bruyne out there. And they just don't go past him. Absolutely top class, top notch.”
With a run in the team and a show of faith, there is a wonderful defender in Wan-Bissaka just waiting to be unleashed.
Likely weighed down by the burden of his transfer fee, at Selhurst Park as a youngster he was allowed to flourish in an environment devoid of the pressure which comes with playing at Old Trafford.
A move to Yorkshire could remove the shackles, although for the potential cost that it might incur, it remains to be seen whether he would be a significant improvement on Kristensen.