Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Fulham are ‘looking at cheaper options’ after being priced out of moves for Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
While Erik ten Hag deserves huge praise for getting Marcus Rashford’s career back on track, for turning the likes of Fred and Victor Lindelof into valuable squad members, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s remarkable resurgence from Old Trafford misfit to first-name-on-the-team-sheet was perhaps his greatest achievement since taking over at Manchester United a year ago.
Not so long ago, United were open for offers for Wan-Bissaka; the Red Devils holding talks to bring in Jeremie Frimpong as his replacement.
That Wan-Bissaka has since been removed from the shop window, then, is testament to just how far the ‘Croydon Cafu’ has come under the former Ajax boss; Wan-Bissaka embracing Ten Hag’s possession-based gameplan and adding some belated on-the-ball guile to his well-renowned defensive attributes.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka now staying at Manchester United
According to the Daily Mail, Bournemouth, Fulham and former employers Crystal Palace have all come calling for Wan-Bissaka, who made his name at Selhurst Park before joining Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United in a £50 million deal four years ago.
All three clubs are now looking at more affordable alternatives.
Fulham, per The Standard, could potentially get long-time target Joshua Brenet for just £1 million, due to a clause in his FC Twente contract. Brenet scored 10 goals from his so-called defensive role in 2022/23. The Cottagers also like Norwich City speedster Max Aarons.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have been linked with Matt Doherty, Sacha Boey, Max Johnston and Timothy Castagne.
The latter could cost just £13 million after Leicester City were relegated in May.
“The season was long. It did not end as we wanted,” Belgium international Castagne tells RTBF.
“The next two months will be important to make the right choices. I let my agent do his job to the moment. He is having discussions. I told him not to tell me anything during the period with the national team in order to keep my concentration.
“There will be a choice to be made, for sure. We are trying to find a top club.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
