Roma manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Manchester United right-back, 24, has fallen behind Diogo Dalot in the pecking order at Old Trafford - playing just two of the last eight Premier League games. Wan-Bissaka is often praised for his defensive nous but criticised for his lack of quality in attack, failing to provide an assist in 26 appearances in all competitions this term.
United legend Paul Scholes has labelled the Englishman a "brilliant defender" but insists he's "useless on the ball", while Arsenal icon Paul Merson once said: "Wan-Bissaka is a very good defender, but he will not get you seven or eight assists a season."
Wan-Bissaka was signed by United from Crystal Palace for £50million in the summer of 2019 and has since made 126 appearances for the club in all competitions. His existing deal expires in June 2024, although the Red Devils have the option to extend that by a year.
According to The Sun, Mourinho is interested in bringing Wan-Bissaka to Roma. The manager has been linked with several right-backs since his appointment last summer and has often deployed on-loan Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles - a midfielder by trade - in the position.
It's believed Wan-Bissaka is waiting to find out whether he's in Erik ten Hag's plans at Old Trafford before making a decision on his future. Recent rumours suggest the incoming boss is not interested in keeping the former Palace ace on United's books.
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Mourinho already has three English players in his squad: Maitland-Niles, Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham. The latter has been a huge success in Italy since leaving Chelsea last summer, scoring 24 goals in all competitions.
The Portuguese coach was not in charge at Old Trafford when Wan-Bissaka arrived having been sacked by United in December 2018. The youngster was just emerging at Palace at the time and went on to be named the club's Player of the Year that season.
Mourinho may have some competition for Wan-Bissaka's signature. It's believed Palace are interested in re-signing him this summer in a loan deal. The London outfit will struggle to afford all of the talent's wages and an eight-figure transfer fee, hence the preference for a loan.
Right-back is a position Palace manager Patrick Vieira may want to strengthen. Nathan Ferguson was signed to replace Wan-Bissaka in July 2020 but the injury-plagued prospect has played just eight minutes of Premier League football since.
There are also question marks over the futures of Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward. Both right-backs are now in their 30s, with Clyne out of contract in less than two months and Ward about to enter the last year of his deal.
"I don’t want to make any comment, he’s a United player," said Vieira when questioned about Wan-Bissaka. "I know he came through the academy here and people love him for what he did for Crystal Palace, but he is a United player."
