Roma boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in bringing Crystal Palace target Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Italy this summer.
The 24-year-old, who joined Manchester United from Palace in 2019 for an initial £45million, has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following a poor season for the Red Devils. His form has put clubs on alert at potentially signing the England international on loan, with Roma joining the Eagles in expressing their interest in the full-back.
Palace already have Joel Ward and Nathan Ferguson as options at right-back plus the out-of-contract Nathaniel Clyne, though the latter is expected to sign a new deal ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Any move for Wan-Bissaka from the club would likely be a temporary move, with new United manager Erik Ten Hag set to make a decision on the full-back future soon.
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Wan-Bissaka is reportedly keen to sign a new deal at United though he also could have the option of spending time overseas with Mourinho’s Roma now linked with a move for him. The recently-crowned UEFA Europa Conference League winners will send Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles back to the Emirates after a disappointing loan spell in the Italian capital, leaving Mourinho keen to bolster his options at right-back.
Mourinho has never worked with Wan-Bissaka before, with the Palace academy graduate arriving at Old Trafford six months after the Portuguese manager had been sacked following a poor start to the 2018/19 season. He did work with compatriot Diogo Dalot however, who has also been linked with a move to Roma and is reportedly valued at £13million.
Missing out on a move for Wan-Bissaka would not be the end of the world for Crystal Palace who have other, more pressing, areas of the team to focus on in the transfer market. A midfielder is top of the list following the departure of Conor Gallagher on loan and the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Cheikhou Kouyate and club captain Luka Milivojevic.
Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure has been targeted to fill that gap with talks reportedly ongoing over a potential move. The Mali international was absent from his country’s latest squad announcement for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Congo and South Sudan, leading to speculation that he’s close to a move.
Palace have also been heavily linked with out of contract goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. The England international would be available on a free following his release from West Bromwich Albion and could be a long-term replacement for Vicente Guaita as the club’s number one keeper. That could spell the end for Jack Butland’s time in south London, with the shot-stopper reportedly of interest to Rangers.
