Aston Villa are reportedly at an advanced stage in negotiations with West Ham United over the signing of defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Villa have been heavily linked with a move for the 28-year-old in recent days, and with speculation suggesting that both Kosta Nedeljkovic and Triston Rowe could be on their way out this summer, it appears as though the club are making space for a new signing in that department.
As well as playing for Crystal Palace, Manchester United and West Ham across his career thus far, Wan-Bissaka represented DR Congo at the World Cup earlier this summer, and it now appears as though he is closing in on a new chapter at club level having caught the eye of Villa’s recruitment team.
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According to The Athletic, after having a straight loan offer rejected by the Hammers, Villa are now said to be close to an agreement with the Championship side with the new formula being a loan with an option to buy.
While Fabrizio Romano reported that it was an obligation to buy, it has since been clarified that it is indeed an option, but there is said to be scope within the agreement that it might become an obligation depending on whether or not certain conditions are met, for example, a number of appearances this season.
While question marks remain over this move as we arguably could have done better in the transfer market, or even showed more faith in either Nedeljkovic or Rowe to provide us with competition and depth behind Matty Cash at right-back this season and beyond with a longer term view in mind, if Unai Emery believes that Wan-Bissaka is the ideal profile of player that he wishes to add to his squad, then there is of course trust in the Villa boss and his judgement.
With this latest breakthrough, it certainly sounds as though we’re nearing a deal to sign him on an initial loan, and time will tell whether or not he features enough across the upcoming campaign to turn it into a permanent switch.