West Ham Secures Wan-Bissaka in £15m Deal from Manchester United

MANCHESTER, England—In a significant move to bolster their defense, Manchester United has signed Netherlands center back Matthijs de Ligt and Morocco full back Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. De Ligt, 25, has agreed to a five-year contract with an option for an additional year, while Mazraoui, 26, has signed until June 2028, also with an extension option. Although the transfer fees were not disclosed, reports suggest a combined cost of approximately £60 million ($77 million) for the two players. The signings come on the heels of United's sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham for a reported £15 million ($19 million). Wan-Bissaka, known for his defensive prowess, will compete for the right-back position at West Ham, marking a return to London after five years at United. His departure is part of a broader defensive overhaul, which includes the recent acquisition of 18-year-old center back Leny Yoro from Lille for €62 million ($68 million). Following the announcement of his transfer, Wan-Bissaka expressed gratitude to Manchester United on social media, receiving well-wishes from former teammates. The move to West Ham, where he has signed a seven-year deal, was described by Wan-Bissaka as a "no-brainer," emphasizing his excitement to return to London, where he began his career. As West Ham prepares for their Premier League opener against Aston Villa, they have made significant additions to their squad, including Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman, and Jean-Clair Todibo, as new manager Julen Lopetegui reshapes the team.