Man United look like being the victims of a Tim Steidten masterclass as West Ham turn the tables with a double move.
West Ham appear to have grown sick of waiting for Manchester United when it comes to their transfer plans.
The Hammers held talks with the Red Devils over several weeks last summer to sign Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay.
In the end Man United wanted too much money from West Ham for McTominay.
And a £30m deal was agreed for Maguire only for it to collapse at the 11th hour when Man United refused to meet his demands over a severance package.
Both players have been linked with moves to West Ham again this summer along with their Old Trafford teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
West Ham launch move for Man United target Mazraoui
New Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui wants to sign a new right-back and Wan-Bissaka – along with Kyle Walker-Peters – has been a key target.
Lopetegui also wanted Wan-Bissaka when he was manager of Wolves.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has full control of West Ham’s recruitment.
He is looking to sign eight players this summer as part of a big rebuild for the new boss but striking a deal with Manchester United for Wan-Bissaka has proved difficult so far.
The former Palace man is in the last year of his contract. And Wan-Bissaka’s agent Will Salthouse has been pleading with West Ham to sign his client.
With a lack of progress on a deal for Wan-Bissaka, the situation took an unexpected turn yesterday.
And Man United are the latest victims of a Steidten masterclass as West Ham turn the tables with a double move.
Man United victims of Steidten masterclass
It has been widely reported by the likes of United In Focus that Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag wants a reunion with Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui of Bayern Munich.
But last night West Ham launched a very deliberate move to hold talks with Mazraoui.
“West Ham in talks with Bayern Munich over signing of right-back Noussair Mazraoui,” Dharmesh Sheth confirmed.
“Morocco international into final two years of his contract. Interest retained in Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters and Manchester United’s Aaron wan-Bissaka.”
It is perfectly clear what the Hammers’ coveted technical director is up to as West Ham fans have seen this before.
Former Man City “wonderkid” Carlos Borges – now known as Carlos Forbs – was set to be Steidten’s first capture at West Ham last summer.
That was until Ajax swooped to “steal him” from West Ham’s grasp at the 11th hour. Or at least that’s what the Dutch giants thought at the time.
Ajax were so thrilled at beating West Ham to his capture they made a point of stating they had seen off stiff competition from a top Premier League side to do so.
West Ham turn tables and it works instantly
But fast forward to the end of the window and it was West Ham who had the last laugh.
In a smoke and mirrors move that was very much by design, West Ham pounced to sign Ajax’s two best players Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez for a combined bargain of £72m knowing they needed to raise funds.
Now Steidten is doing something similar with Man United over Wan-Bissaka.
Knowing Mazraoui is a top target for Ten Hag, the Hammers have deliberately gone after him in order to pressure Man United to sell them Wan-Bissaka.
And it appears to have worked too. Instantly.
Because Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg says the Red Devils have already dropped their asking price for Wan-Bissaka to just £10m.
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a key for a possible deal with Noussair Mazraoui – for Manchester United and West Ham!” Plettenberg said.
“Man Utd seriously considering to replace Wan-Bissaka with Mazroaui. Therefore they have lowered their demand for AWB and demand £10m now! West Ham considering to push for Wan-Bissaka if a transfer with Mazraoui should not work out.”
Steidten knows exactly what he is doing here.
West Ham may well genuinely want to try and sign Mazraoui. But if Man United are in for him – given Ten Hag is the player’s former manager – then they would be favourites to sign him.
So it’s clearly a cunning ploy from the Hammers to force Man United’s hand over Wan-Bissaka.
Mazraoui has been a standout player for Ajax and Bayern with his lungbusting runs up and down the right flank.
Crucially for West Ham, he can also operate on the left and in multiple other positions if needed.
And at worst here, West Ham’s push for the 26-year-old will see Wan-Bissaka handed to them on a silver platter.
