Tim Steidten completes the master course with the Hammers close to the main target

Since joining the Hammers as technical director last year, Tim Steidten has made a number of smart offers for West Ham despite a disappointing performance on the pitch in the 2023/24 Premier League season. One of the biggest examples of Steidten’s shrewd business came when Ajax signed Manchester City academy talent Carlos Borges from West Ham at the last minute.

However, the German had the last laugh by securing Ajax’s two best star players, Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez, for a combined transfer fee of just £72m, knowing Ajax needed to raise funds . West Ham now need to strengthen their defence, and the right-back position remains a top priority for the Hammers. And it looks like Steidten is once again preparing a masterclass in getting a new right-back.

In recent seasons, Manchester United have been known for delaying transfer business until after the transfer window closes. They paid £100m for Antony on the last day of the 2022 transfer window and last year they did not pay Harry Maguire’s unpaid wages which saw West Ham unable to land the defender , despite agreeing to a £30m transfer fee. with the Red Devils.

This may be the case again if Erik Ten Hag’s side take too long to sell £15m Aaron Wan-Bissaka to the Hammers. From West Ham’s point of view, they need to get this deal done quickly, as a new striker and a new centre-back are priorities, along with a new right-back.

Thus, Tim Steidten decided to explore the possibility of signing Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. Mazraoui is also on Manchester United’s transfer wish list, so the Red Devils will not want to miss out on signing the Moroccan defender who has thrived under current United manager Erik Ten Hag at Ajax.

United will therefore be looking to move quickly to sell Wan-Bissaka to West Ham in order to bring in Mazraoui. And as reported by transfer journalist Florian Plettenberg, that is currently the situation with Manchester United reducing their demand to just £10m for the English right-back. Plettenberg said:

“Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a key to a possible Noussair Mazraoui deal – for Manchester United and West Ham.
Man Utd are seriously considering replacing Wan-Bissaka with Mazroai. They have therefore reduced their demand for AWB and are now asking for £10m! West Ham are considering a push for Wan-Bissaka if a Mazraoui move doesn’t work out.”

– Florian Plettenberg

So one thing is for sure by the end of the week, there is a good chance West Ham will have a new right-back, whether it’s Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui or Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.