Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s transfer to Manchester United from Crystal Palace has finally been confirmed by the club for a fee of £50m.
Embed from Getty ImagesWan-Bissaka, 21, signed a five year contract with the option of a further year after coming through the ranks at Palace’s academy.
In a summer where the usual round of huge names have been linked with the Reds, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to pursue a policy of hungry youth signings to reinvigorate a side which was only capable of finishing a distant 6th in last season’s Premier League.
Wan-Bissaka’s fee is the fourth highest paid by the club and the pacy right back will reportedly earn up to £80,000 a week.
Solskjaer was effusive about the new signing, saying: “Aaron is one of the best upcoming defenders in the Premier League.
He has the right work ethic, talent and mentality to play for Manchester United and he fits exactly the type of player that we are looking to bring into the squad to help us improve and push on further.
“Aaron is a young, hungry player and eager to learn and that’s important at his age.
“I am delighted he has signed with us and we look forward to continuing his tremendous development so far.”
Wan-Bissaka, a childhood United fan, added: “It’s an unbelievable feeling and an honour to call myself a Manchester United player and something I know that only a small number of players have the privilege to say.
“I can’t wait to get going and integrated into the squad.
“I will have a short break now after the European Championships but I’m looking forward to starting training with the manager and my new team-mates on the pre-season tour.”
Wan-Bissaka’s signing follows the arrival of Daniel James from Swansea.
The England U21 international right back featured for his country at this summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Italy although Aidy Boothroyd’s side crashed out at the group stage with just one point from three games.
It’s been reported that part of the reason for the delay in announcement of the deal was Crystal Palace’s refusal to remove a substantial sell-on clause from ex-United winger Wilfried Zaha.
Palace are reported to have inserted a sell on clause for Wan-Bissaka if he leaves United in the future for a fee of over £50m.