West Ham United have been warned not to sign Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the January transfer window by Football Insider pundit Tam McManus.
The Lowdown: West Ham's Wan-Bissaka interest
With the 25-year-old appearing for just four minutes in the Premier League this season, it is clear that he is not rated very highly by his manager Erik ten Hag, and rumours have started to swirl about a move away from Old Trafford.
Earlier this month, 90min reported that the likes of West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United are all interested in signing the right-back in the January transfer window.
Transfer insider Dean Jones subsequently told GIVEMESPORT that the Wan-Bissaka link was the "one to take most seriously" next month, although David Moyes has since been warned off such a move.
The Latest: Wan-Bissaka warning
McManus did not urge West Ham to forget about Wan-Bissaka outright, although he does feel that the Man United defender would not be an ideal target for January.
Speaking to Football Insider, the 41-year-old said: “Him going to West Ham? Maybe not, for me.
“West Ham need defenders in, central defenders especially. Wan-Bissaka does have a good tackle on him but if you are signing him you are signing him to be a wing-back. He’s at his best near the opposition box so I’m not sure how much help he will actually give to the defence.
“He would cost a bit of money too so if they are looking at him, I think they should be looking to spend big elsewhere. If he still wants a move in the summer then that is when to go for him.”
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The Verdict: Worthwhile signing
It is true that the Englishman could cost a lot of money in a permanent deal, given that the Red Devils paid an initial £45m for him in 2019 (rising to £50m with add-ons), and he is still contracted until 2024.
However, that is likely to be why Moyes is trying to bring him in on loan, as reported by Manchester Evening News, which would be much more of a low-risk move.
Former Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lauded the 25-year-old as a 'top, top full-back' in his position, and Wan-Bissaka has displayed remarkable defensive acumen over the past year.
His average of 2.48 interceptions per 90 minutes places him in the 99th percentile among position peers in Europe's top five leagues, while he has also made 3.03 tackles per 90 in the same timeframe.
This contradicts McManus' claim that the defender would not offer much to West Ham's backline, so Wan-Bissaka would be a very worthwhile addition for Moyes in the January transfer window if he is signed next month.