Manchester-based media outlets are reporting late this evening that West Ham are lining up an initial transfer bid for Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka this week.

Cryptically, the breaking news suggests that it will be West Ham’s ‘first’ bid for the player, who once commanded a £50m transfer fee when signed from Crystal Palace. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that the Hammers expect this transfer to be a protracted one, with multiple bids required to secure the signing of the player.

Whether this news means the end of West Ham’s interest in Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters is unknown. However, don’t rule out a phantom bid being made, as was the case when the club made an offer for Jean-Clair Todibo in an effort to force through the Max Kilman transfer.

It is believed that Manchester United is keen to hasten the departure of Wan-Bissaka, having submitted an improved offer of £45m plus £5m for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite