West Ham handed £18m Man Utd transfer blow as player makes payment demand

West Ham’s pursuit of Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been hit with another problem with the defender reportedly demanding a huge pay-off from the Old Trafford side to leave this summer.

New Irons boss Julen Lopetegui has been heavily active in the ongoing transfer window, bringing in Wolves defender Max Kilman, Leeds United star winger Crysencio Summerville and Borussia Dortmund’s Niclas Fullkrug. He is, however, still keen to improve the squad’s defensive depths with Wan-Bissaka fast becoming a key target.

According to the latest reports from SunSport, while the Hammers are willing to meet the necessary £18 million valuation for the 26-year-old, they are set to be unable to offer his wage demands. Wan-Bissaka has been open to the move to the London Stadium but has he has no immediate desire to leave Manchester United and he is ensuring he does not sell himself short.

As the defender also only has one year left on his current Old Trafford contract, by remaining there for an extra year he could bank a huge signing-on fee if he were to leave on a free transfer next summer.

Reportedly, Wan-Bissaka’s representatives are encouraging United to give the defender a portion of the £18m they are set to receive from the Hammers in order to get the deal done as soon as possible. The ex-Crystal Place star has been on the same £90,000-a-week contract since moving to Old Trafford five years ago and is now looking for an increase - something West Ham cannot offer.

If the Hammers are unable to secure the former England youth international, he could be picked up by Serie A’s Inter Milan who have been keeping tabs on the right-back. The reports indicate that he could well sign a pre-contract agreement with the Italian side in January if a move to Stratford breaks down.

United have been eager to sell Wan-Bissaka this summer and have already identified Moroccan star Noussair Mazroaui as the Englishman’s replacement. It is noted that the Irons, too, inquired about the Bayern Munich right-back but have instead opted to focus on Wan-Bissaka as their main target.