Recent reports indicate that a Manchester United star is currently engaged in discussions about a contract extension, a surprising development considering that just nine months ago, he was on the brink of leaving the club, according to a reputable source.
One of the initial areas that Erik ten Hag focused on upon taking the helm at Old Trafford was the acquisition of a more attack-minded right-back. The club’s existing options in that position, namely Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, were not known for their significant contributions to the team’s offensive play.
Initially, under Ten Hag’s management, Dalot seemed to be the preferred choice prior to the World Cup break last season. This led to intense speculation that Wan-Bissaka might depart the club in the January transfer window.
In fact, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed that not only was Wan-Bissaka potentially on the verge of leaving, but the club had identified a direct replacement.
“Man Utd in November and December were looking for a new right-back,” Romano stated on his YouTube channel. “Wan-Bissaka was expected to leave and a new right-back was lined up after Wan-Bissaka had a challenging start to the season.”
“However, he performed exceptionally well in January, and Man Utd decided to retain him and instead invest money in Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer.”
“But there’s one thing to add – they had a right-back ready to be signed in case Wan-Bissaka was going to leave. That player was Josip Juranovic, a Croatian right-back who currently plays for Union Berlin but was at Celtic at the time.”
Wan-Bissaka has since undergone a remarkable turnaround, securing his place as Ten Hag’s preferred choice at right-back and surpassing Dalot.
Fast forward to the present day, and Fabrizio Romano has provided a fresh update, revealing that discussions are underway for Wan-Bissaka to sign a new contract with Manchester United.
“While an agreement over a new contract has not been finalized, the discussions between Manchester United and Wan-Bissaka’s representatives are ongoing,” stated Romano.
“This presents a possibility for Manchester United and Wan-Bissaka to continue their association and extend his contract.”
Wan-Bissaka’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, although Manchester United holds an option to extend it for an additional 12 months.
However, the latest developments suggest that both parties are actively exploring the prospect of a longer-term contract, with reports indicating that Wan-Bissaka is likely to receive a substantial increase in his current weekly wages, which stand at £100,000.