Manchester United agree fee for Wan-Bissaka - reports

Manchester United have agreed a fee with Crystal Palace to sign defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to a report in the Scottish media.

The Daily Record report that United have agreed to pay around £55 million for the England Under-21 right-back, who impressed for Palace last season and attracted attention from most of the top English sides, as well as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

The Norwegian manager has long been rumoured to be interested in strengthening his defence, and Wan-Bissaka is seen as one of the best defensive prospects in European football at the moment.

There had been doubt over a proposed move, with Ed Woodward known for his emphatic and relentless incompetence in the transfer market, and his tendency to eff up transfers which seemed easy for the average human to complete. With that problem understood, there should be some doubt over whether the transfer will actually go ahead, or if Woodward will end up signing Geoff Capes a veggie burger instead.

The paper notes that United will, if they sign the player, now have paid record sums for full-backs on both wings, with Luke Shaw occupying the left flank despite regularly looking unfit, overweight, and not very good at football. The 21-year-old Bissaka is not known for his love of pizza and victimhood, so is less likely to be a waste of money than Shaw.

United have so far only signed Daniel James, but the manager is said to want a central defender and a midfielder before the start of pre-season. United might also have to replace Paul Pogba and David de Gea, should the two of them get their way and force transfers out of the club.