Overview
- Multiple outlets reported on Thursday that Aston Villa have held exploratory talks with West Ham about signing Wan‑Bissaka, putting Villa ahead of Arsenal in the chase.
- West Ham are understood to be open to selling the 28‑year‑old following their relegation and are valuing him at about £25 million.
- Wan‑Bissaka retains a long West Ham contract that runs to 2031, which gives the club negotiating leverage despite his desire to remain in the Premier League.
- Villa view the right‑back role as a clear priority to provide competition for Matty Cash, and Wan‑Bissaka’s proven one‑on‑one defending and recent World Cup starts for DR Congo have increased his appeal.
- If a sale proceeds it would help West Ham balance finances after relegation and give Villa immediate defensive depth, while Arsenal appear less likely to meet the fee as they focus on other transfer priorities.