Arsenal legend Ray Parlour says Crystal Palace are ‘crazy’ to think the 21-year-old is worth such a high fee
Ray Parlour has told talkSPORT Crystal Palace’s £65million valuation of Aaron Wan-Bissaka is ‘absolute madness’.
Manchester United have been credited with a strong an interest in the 21-year-old, who enjoyed an impressive breakthrough Premier League season with the Eagles.
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The Red Devils are said to have already had a £40m bid turned down by Palace for the English youngster, with the London club holding out for £65m.
Latest reports claim United are now ready to up their bid to £50m – but Arsenal legend Parlour says the youngster’s price tag is ‘crazy’.
“It is madness, absolute madness,” he said on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“I really like him, I think he’s an excellent player and I’ve seen him on quite a few occasions.
“His defending is very good and he gets forward. But for £65million? It’s crazy.
“I mean, look at those Ajax youngsters. They’re only young and they’ve not really done anything yet. They’ve really shown that they can play in an Ajax shirt and have done really well in the Champions League but they’re going for £70m-£80m as well.”
While he baulked at the fees mooted for Wan-Bissaka, Parlour concedes United have to begin a huge recruitment drive to try and reduce the gap to this season’s Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
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United finished a massive 32 points adrift of champions City in 2018/19, and Ole Gunner Solskjaer is planning a big overhaul of his squad this summer – with one player, Daniel James, already signed.
And the former Gunners says it’s just a matter of time until the Red Devils are back competing for trophies.
“Recruitment is so important in any club,” Parlour added.
“You look at what Man City did, when they needed players they went out and bought them.
“Liverpool did exactly the same, they needed a goalkeeper and got Alisson, the needed a centre-half and got [Virgil] Van Dijk – and suddenly they’re challenging and wining trophies.
“I think Manchester United will be very similar going forward.
“I think Man United are realistic… they look at Man City and Liverpool and they’re well behind them at the moment.
“But they will be back, because they’re Manchester United. Sometimes it works in cycles and they just need to get the right players in.”
