Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s summer just got a lot more interesting. The West Ham right-back is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Arsenal and Lazio, and neither club seems willing to blink first.
West Ham’s relegation to the Championship has put several of their top players in the shop window. But it’s Wan-Bissaka who’s generating the loudest buzz. And honestly? It makes sense.
Why Arsenal Want Wan-Bissaka
Arsenal’s right-back situation needs sorting. Ben White is expected to leave the Emirates this summer after two injury-plagued seasons. He managed just 12 Premier League appearances in 2025-26 and has fallen behind Jurrien Timber in the pecking order.
That leaves Arteta’s side thin at right-back. According to TEAMtalk, sporting director Andrea Berta has drawn up an 11-man shortlist of potential replacements. Wan-Bissaka’s name sits on that list, and it’s reportedly “generating significant internal discussion” at the club.
So why him? A few reasons stand out:
- He’s one of the Premier League’s most proven one-on-one defenders.
- His World Cup form with DR Congo was outstanding — he wasn’t dribbled past once across four matches.
- At 28, he’s in his prime and knows English football inside out.
- A move to north London would keep him in the city he already calls home.
Arsenal aren’t short of alternatives. Tino Livramento, Ivan Fresneda, Oscar Mingueza, and Vanderson are also on Berta’s radar. But Wan-Bissaka’s availability and Premier League pedigree give him an edge over some of those names.
Lazio Enter the Race — But Hit a Wall
Here’s where things get complicated. Lazio want him too. The Serie A club, now managed by Gennaro Gattuso, made a €10 million offer for Wan-Bissaka. West Ham didn’t just reject it — they called it insulting.
The Hammers have slapped a £25 million asking price on the defender. They paid Manchester United £15 million for him in 2024 and he’s got a contract running until 2031. They’re under no pressure to sell cheaply, even after dropping to the second tier.
Lazio’s interest isn’t random, though. Their current right-back options — Adam Marusic and Manuel Lazzari — are both into their thirties. Wan-Bissaka would represent a clear upgrade and could walk straight into Gattuso’s starting eleven.
The appeal of Serie A shouldn’t be dismissed either. Wan-Bissaka would stay in a top-five European league, and Lazio can offer something West Ham can’t right now: top-flight football. But can they close the gap between €10 million and £25 million? That’s the real question.
Everton had shown interest earlier in the window but have since backed off, narrowing the field to Arsenal and Lazio as the main contenders.
World Cup Stock Rising
Wan-Bissaka’s value has jumped after a standout World Cup with DR Congo. He started all four of the Leopards’ matches in the USA, helping them earn a historic draw against Portugal and beat Uzbekistan 3-1 before a narrow round-of-32 loss to England.
His defensive stats were staggering. He averaged over 10 defensive contributions per match and wasn’t beaten in a single duel against some of the world’s best wingers. That kind of form catches the eye of clubs like Arsenal.
It also makes West Ham’s £25 million valuation feel more reasonable. They know what they’ve got. And they know other clubs know it too.
So where does this end up? Arsenal hold the stronger hand. They can offer Champions League football, life in London, and a squad competing for major honours. Lazio’s pitch centres on guaranteed minutes and a fresh challenge — but their opening bid suggests they may struggle to meet West Ham’s demands.
Don’t be surprised if this one drags on. Transfer windows always do. But for Wan-Bissaka, the destination feels like it’ll come down to ambition versus certainty. And at 28, with a World Cup performance like that on his CV, he’s earned the right to be picky.
