Man United defender “one to watch” this summer as INEOS set to bid for wonderkid

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka may be sold this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Wan-Bissaka, who has made 20 Premier League appearances for Erik ten Hag’s team this season, is entering the final year of his contract.

With United previously using their option to extend Wan-Bissaka’s deal, the Premier League giants do not have access to that same luxury this time. This, combined with Wan-Bissaka’s reported £90,000 a week wages, may mean the Red Devils will look to cash in on the defender this summer.

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Writing in his Daily Briefing column, Romano admitted that there has been interest in Wan-Bissaka, and United may be open to selling him during the next window.

“As for Wan-Bissaka, there’s been interest in him since December but at the moment, I’m not aware of negotiations for the player,” Romano stated. “It could be one to watch in the summer because with one year left on his contract, Man United could be open to selling him in case they receive a good proposal.”

As far as a possible replacement for Wan-Bissaka, Manchester United have been heavily linked with Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong throughout Erik ten Hag’s tenure with the club.

However, Frimpong, who is far more attacking-oriented than his English counterpart, would offer a massive change of style from what Red Devils fans have become accustomed to with Wan-Bissaka.

Elsewhere, the Northern Echo is reporting that Manchester United are set to bid for Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg.

Rigg, who is just 16 years old, has featured prominently for Sunderland’s first team this season. Making twenty-one appearances, including eight starts in the Championship this season, key figures within Ineos are believed to have identified Rigg as a priority target.

Seen as a potentially key part of Ineos’ plans to reinvigorate United’s academy system, the central midfielder is highly admired across the English footballing pyramid.

Ineos has already begun implementing this plan, with young fullback Dante Plunkett confirming he will join the Red Devils from Aston Villa’s academy on Sunday evening.

As noted in the report, if United pursue a formal bid for Rigg, several other clubs across Europe are expected to follow suit. Rigg could also stay with Sunderland, especially after the club’s trust in him this season.

If United are successful in their pursuit of Rigg, they will need to pay Sunderland a hefty compensation due to Rigg’s status as a scholar.