West Ham insider ‘shocked’ club offered Man United star for bargain price
West Ham were able to land a bargain fee for Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Man United were desperate to see him leave, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes in June and remains well-connected at the club, exclusively told Football Insider that United had been in contact for over a year attempting to sell the right-back.
Wan-Bissaka, 26, eventually made the £15million move to the London Stadium following the arrival of Julen Lopetegui as part of his defensive overhaul.
However, Brown revealed that he recommended the club sign him in 2023, with United offering his services around clubs in the Premier League.
Alongside Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire, Erik ten Hag had decided the former Crystal Palace man no longer had a place in his side.
The Hammers were eventually able to capitalise on a cut-price deal to bring him back to London which saw United make a substantial loss on his services.
Wan-Bissaka made the move to Old Trafford for £50million in 2019, and Brown has insisted his game has only gotten better since then.
West Ham landed ‘bargain’ Aaron Wan-Bissaka deal after Man United decision
During his time at Old Trafford, the right-back made 190 appearances for Man United, and he has already featured seven times under Lopetegui.
Brown, who also spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period, has insisted the club could not have bought a better right-back for the price they paid.
“I think that was an absolute bargain for West Ham,” he told Football Insider.
“I was the one who recommended him when I was there. It was him, McTominay and Maguire.
“And that wasn’t a case of me being biased from my time at Man United, I just wanted the best players we could get for the best price.
“West Ham were offered Wan-Bissaka at the start of last season with the price around £15million and I was shocked by that price tag.
“I haven’t seen too many better right-backs go for that sort of fee.
“I thought the club had missed a trick when they didn’t get that one done in 2023, but fortunately he was still available for that price in the summer just gone.
“To be honest, I don’t understand why United got rid of him, but West Ham had to capitalise.
“When you look at the price they paid for him from Crystal Palace, he certainly hasn’t gotten any worse since that move. I’d say he’s improved in that time.”
In other news, the Hammers are readying a new offer for Vangelis Pavlidis.
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