Man Utd move on from ideal Ten Hag transfer target with alternative arrangement
Manchester United plan to extend Aaron Wan-Bissaka's contract after Erik ten Hag decided not to pursue a transfer for leading right-back target Denzel Dumfries.
Wan-Bissaka, 25, has entered the final year of his deal at Old Trafford but United chiefs have the option of extending his stay for a further 12 months until June 2025. The uncapped international struggled for game-time in the first half of last season but following the World Cup break emphatically earned Ten Hag's trust and eventually usurped Diogo Dalot to become his first-choice right-back.
The position was one which Ten Hag wasn't sure about over the course of last term, prompting links with Dumfries, but after handing Dalot a new five-year contract in May, it's unlikely that the Red Devils will rekindle their interest in the Inter Milan star or another right-back. According to the Sun, United are preparing to pull the trigger on Wan-Bissaka's one-year extension clause.
The decision comes amid interest from his boyhood club, Crystal Palace. Having left the Eagles for £50million in 2019, manager Roy Hodgson is said to have had his eyes on a reunion, but Wan-Bissaka won't be leaving Old Trafford any time soon. Dumfries won't be coming in either, despite Ten Hag holding talks with the 27-year-old's agent earlier this year, the Athletic claim.
The 45-capped Netherlands international was often linked with a move to United throughout last season, as Inter reached the Champions League final and he continued to thrive in a marauding wing-back role, as he does for his country.
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But following Ten Hag's change of plan, Dumfries insists that he's committed to San Siro ahead of his third campaign there, during which he's set to surpass the 100 appearance mark.
"When we get back together, despite this defeat, we will be hungry for victory next season," for the ex-PSV Eindhoven ace vowed following Inter's narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last month. "What if I stay at Inter? Yes, at the moment I'm staying at Inter."
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As for Wan-Bissaka, he's grown into favour under Ten Hag. The Red Devils boss told manutd.com before the 2022-23 season came to an end: "He has improved a lot, as many players have improved during the season. That's one of the jobs for a manager and the coaching staff, to get that done and we are really happy with it, that players are developing.
"Always the team spirit is the base and if players understand that, if they can set their egos aside, then you will see that the team develops and progresses. And then within the team's progress, individuals make a lot of progress and Aaron is definitely one of them."
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