Aaron Wan-Bissaka Offered Chance to Switch Allegiance to DR Congo

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has received an invitation to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo at international level.

Despite at times in his career being considered the best right-back in the Premier League, which is why United agreed a £50m transfer from Crystal Palace in 2019, Wan-Bissaka has the dubious honour of being the world’s most expensive uncapped player.

That title was bestowed on the right-back when £75m Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana played 90 minutes for France against Gilbraltar in June. Marc Cucurella (£62m) playing once for Spain in 2021 and Romeo Lavia’s (£58m) Belgium debut earlier this year have pushed Wan-Bissaka to the top.

Croydon-born Wan-Bissaka represented England at Under-20 and Under-21 levels earlier in his career and was called up to the senior ranks by manager Gareth Southgate for the first international break of the 2019/20 season, only for injury to force his withdrawal from the group.

In the years since, right-back has become arguably England’s most competitive posititon, with Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Reece James all vying for the shirt. Wan-Bissaka has also suffered with injuries and inconsistent form that have limited his game time at club level.

Although English by birth, Wan-Bissaka has Congolese family heritage that makes him eligible for DR Congo. He represented the country’s Under-20 side when he was just 17 and, at the time, seemed determined that it would be his long-term international choice.