Aston Villa have bolstered their right-back options by securing Aaron Wan-Bissaka on a season-long loan from West Ham United, with the agreement including a conditional obligation to buy the player permanently.
The move brings the DR Congo international back to the Premier League after a two-year spell at West Ham, where he made 65 appearances following his 2024 switch from Manchester United on a seven-year deal. Last season, the 28-year-old featured 25 times for the Hammers as they suffered relegation to the Championship.
While the financial details of the loan have not been disclosed, West Ham had reportedly been seeking around £25m from clubs interested in signing him this summer. Wan-Bissaka sat out West Ham's opening two Championship fixtures of the new campaign while the move to Villa Park was finalised.
Before his time at West Ham, Wan-Bissaka spent several years at Manchester United, making 190 appearances and lifting both the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. His most recent international exploits saw him start all four of DR Congo's matches at the 2026 World Cup, helping his country advance to the round of 32.
The defender arrives at Villa with the club chasing another strong campaign after finishing fourth in the Premier League last season and lifting the Europa League under Unai Emery. That success means Wan-Bissaka could find himself involved in Champions League football this term, in addition to Premier League duties.
There is a genuine possibility the new arrival could be thrust straight into action, with Villa opening their league season away at Brighton on Sunday. Manager Unai Emery has been strengthening his squad across several positions this summer, and the addition of a player with Wan-Bissaka's Premier League pedigree at right-back is seen as valuable competition and cover heading into a demanding season on multiple fronts.
Villa's business comes amid a busy period of Premier League transfer activity ahead of the new campaign kicking off. Elsewhere, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has been candid about the state of his own squad, describing it as "quite thin" following the departures of key figures including Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. "We will definitely sign some players. Some deals you have to wait until the end," Iraola said. "But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1, because it is true that we are still quite thin." Liverpool have brought in Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet and loanee Ronald Araujo so far, but reinforcements in wide attacking areas remain a priority, with Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola among those under consideration.
Other notable transfer activity this week includes Chelsea's move to loan Axel Disasi to Crystal Palace, Tottenham closing in on deals for Manchester City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush, and Real Betis completing the signing of Republic of Ireland forward Troy Parrott from AZ Alkmaar for a reported €16m.
For Wan-Bissaka, the switch to Villa represents an opportunity to re-establish himself in the top flight and compete for silverware once again, having tasted domestic cup success during his time at Old Trafford.
Based on reporting from The Guardian and BBC Sport.