Aston Villa have entered exploratory discussions with West Ham United over a potential deal for right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer window.
The move comes as Unai Emery identifies defensive depth on the right flank as one of the club’s key priorities before the transfer window closes.
Matty Cash remains the first-choice right-back at Villa Park, but cover behind him has become a pressing concern heading into a demanding season.
Andrés García has joined Getafe on loan after struggling for regular minutes, while Kosta Nedeljkovic has returned from RB Leipzig but faces interest from Rangers and other clubs.
Ezri Konsa and Lamare Bogarde can cover the position in an emergency, but Emery would prefer to keep Konsa at centre-back and Bogarde is more naturally suited to midfield.
Villa previously explored a deal for Emerson Royal, opening discussions with Flamengo over the former Tottenham defender before progress stalled due to the Brazilian club’s reluctance to sell.
Wan-Bissaka presents a very different profile and has been identified as one of several right-back options currently under consideration at Villa.
The 28-year-old built his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most tenacious one-on-one defenders at Crystal Palace before Manchester United paid heavily to sign him in 2019.
He made 190 appearances for United, winning both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, before completing a move to West Ham for around £15 million in 2024.
His debut campaign in east London earned him West Ham’s player of the year award after he became a reliable and consistent presence throughout a difficult season for the club.
The following year proved far less comfortable, with West Ham relegated and Wan-Bissaka losing his starting place to Kyle Walker-Peters toward the end of the campaign.
He started only two of the final seven league matches, having also missed games to represent DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Wan-Bissaka responded positively on the international stage, however, starting all four of DR Congo’s matches as they reached the knockout stage of the World Cup and pushed England close.
According to The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, Villa have held exploratory talks with West Ham about a potential transfer agreement for the defender.
West Ham are reportedly asking for around £25 million, a significant premium on their original investment despite the club’s relegation to the Championship.
That valuation is complicated by Wan-Bissaka’s contract situation, with the defender tied to the Hammers until 2031, giving the east London club considerable leverage in any negotiation.
Villa have little urgency to overpay given they are assessing several positions simultaneously, and no formal offer has yet been submitted to West Ham.
Emery has previously spoken warmly about the defender, publicly branding Wan-Bissaka a “very good player,” which adds credibility to Villa’s reported interest.
At the right price, Wan-Bissaka would bring elite recovery tackling, Premier League experience, and the defensive reliability needed to cope with dangerous wide forwards in both domestic and European competition.
Whether Villa are willing to meet West Ham’s valuation remains the central question, but the exploratory talks signal genuine intent from Emery’s side to strengthen at right-back before the window shuts.