BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United have confirmed the acquisition of a £70m star player after securing a verbal agreement to outbid Chelsea. A 6-year contract has been finalized, and a medical took place this morning. Thousands of Manchester United fans gathered at Old Trafford to witness the club’s most significant summer signing.

Manchester United is not solely focusing on Matthijs de Ligt in their pursuit of new talent from Bayern Munich this summer. While the Dutch defender remains a top target, United has also set their sights on another player.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, both Manchester United and West Ham United are considering a move for Noussair Mazraoui. The Moroccan defender, eager to join the Premier League, has been granted permission to leave Bayern Munich.

Plettenberg suggests that a fee of €15-20 million could secure Mazraoui’s transfer. Since joining Bayern in 2022, Mazraoui’s career hasn’t gone as planned, a sentiment that reflects the broader struggles of many Bayern players in recent seasons.

However, Mazraoui’s versatility on the field is a key asset; he is capable of playing both right and left-back positions, often featuring at left-back for Morocco due to Achraf Hakimi’s presence.

The Mirror recently reported that Bayern Munich values the former Ajax defender at approximately £25 million. Manchester United aims to negotiate a deal around £18 million, while West Ham is not willing to exceed £15 million.

However, United’s ability to pursue Mazraoui hinges on the potential sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The English right-back has had a mixed tenure at Old Trafford, and his departure could open the door for Mazraoui’s arrival.

Mazraoui previously played under Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, having risen through the club’s youth ranks and made a notable impact.

This familiarity may explain United’s interest, though it also raises concerns about an over-reliance on former Ajax players under Ten Hag’s management. While there is nothing inherently wrong with a coach signing players they are comfortable with, Ten Hag’s recent transfer decisions have yielded mixed results.

Mazraoui could be seen as an upgrade over Wan-Bissaka, particularly in terms of attacking prowess. However, there are questions about whether he can match the defensive demands of the Premier League.

Despite these uncertainties, the potential transfer fee suggests this deal could be a bargain. The situation is still unfolding, and it remains to be seen how this transfer saga will conclude.