Manchester United are nearing an agreement for Noussair Mazraoui after reaching terms with the Bayern Munich defender regarding a move to Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag has already added French centre-back Leny Yoro and Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee to his squad this summer but aims to strengthen the team further before the new season begins.
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Mazraoui, with 55 appearances for Bayern and 28 caps for Morocco, has become a target for the Red Devils as they consider selling Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Manchester United spent £50m on Wan-Bissaka five years ago but are prepared to sell the defender for just £15m this summer.
The 26-year-old former Crystal Palace player has been linked with a return to London, with West Ham interested in bolstering new manager Julen Lopetegui’s squad.
Wan-Bissaka’s move to East London will facilitate Mazraoui’s transfer to Manchester United, and the defender, also 26, has already agreed terms with the Premier League club, according to Foot Mercato.
United are expected to pay around £15m for the Moroccan, with an additional £5m in add-ons going to Bayern Munich.
Since becoming Manchester United manager, Ten Hag has often targeted his former players, and Mazraoui was a key player under him at Ajax.
Mazraoui joined Bayern Munich in 2022 and has played 38 league games for the German club over his two seasons at the Allianz Arena.
He was close to a move to West Ham earlier in the summer, but the deal fell through, allowing Manchester United to step in and make rapid progress toward a summer transfer.
Manchester United’s pre-season began with a 1-0 loss to Norwegian team Rosenborg.
Ten Hag’s team then defeated Scottish giants Rangers 2-0 before losing 2-1 to Premier League rivals Arsenal on Sunday morning.
Rasmus Hojlund gave the Red Devils an early lead at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, but Arsenal came from behind with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
‘I think [the game] was a very good level for the third week of pre-season, from both sides, but in the first half I thought we were the better team,’ Ten Hag said.
‘We scored a very good goal, a very good ball in behind from [Marcus] Rashford and then [Rasmus] Hojlund with a very good move and a finish, I was very pleased.
‘We also created some more good chances and we then conceded the goal which was offside.’
Manchester United continue their pre-season preparations on Thursday against Spanish side Real Betis.
United, who finished eighth in the Premier League last season, will face Manchester rivals City in the Community Shield final on August 10.
