Aston Villa have reached an agreement in principle on personal terms with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with negotiations now continuing with West Ham over a proposed €27m (£23m) transfer, according to Sébastien Vidal’s report. The deal would give Unai Emery another experienced option at right-back and increase competition for Matty Cash.
Aston Villa push for €27m deal
West Ham want €27m before sanctioning the permanent move, while Villa appear prepared to pursue talks despite the sizeable valuation. talkSPORT independently reported that the clubs were discussing a potential deal and that West Ham valued the defender at around £25m.
Wan-Bissaka, 28 years old, joined West Ham from Manchester United for £15m in 2024. Opta records 25 Premier League appearances and 2,083 minutes in 2025/26, with two assists, while his two seasons at the London Stadium have produced 61 appearances across competitions according to its career record.
T4O take: Aston Villa have a clear tactical reason
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 12: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Aaron Wan-Bissaka #2 of DR Congo during the team’s training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 12, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)
Cash carried a huge workload last season, featuring 49 times across all competitions according to the supplied reference, so another senior right-back would give Emery room to rotate without weakening his defensive structure.
Wan-Bissaka’s biggest selling point remains his ability in isolated defensive situations. His recovery pace can help a side hold a higher line, particularly when aggressive pressing leaves space behind the full-back. That matters for Emery, whose teams often ask defenders to defend large areas after possession changes.
Aston Villa could use his defensive versatility
That makes the €27m question more interesting. Wan-Bissaka doesn’t offer the same attacking thrust that Cash can provide, and his passing has never been the strongest part of his game. Yet Emery could use him as a conservative right-back, a right-sided defender in a back three, or an emergency centre-back when the shape changes.
He represented DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup, starting all four matches, adding recent international experience to his club record.
For a Champions League side seeking defensive cover, I can see the logic. The fee feels high, particularly after West Ham’s relegation, but Villa aren’t buying another body for the bench. They’re buying a specialist defender whose one-on-one ability can protect an aggressive system. That has genuine value, and Aston Villa may decide it is worth paying for.