- Aaron Wan-Bissaka has joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan from West Ham United with a conditional obligation to buy
- Villa have had an offer worth around £18m plus add-ons rejected by Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis
- Wan-Bissaka could make his Villa debut against Brighton this weekend as Unai Emery’s squad continues to take shape
Wan-Bissaka Completes Villa Move From Relegated West Ham
Aston Villa have confirmed the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham United on a loan deal that includes a conditional obligation to buy once the temporary move is completed.
The 28-year-old leaves West Ham after the club were relegated last season. Since dropping into the Championship, West Ham have also lost players including Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, with Wan-Bissaka now joining that list of departures.
Wan-Bissaka had missed West Ham’s first two matches of the season while talks over his future continued. Villa have now added him to Unai Emery’s squad, where he is expected to compete with Matty Cash at right-back.
The Spider arrives 🕷️
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham on a season-long loan, with a conditional obligation to buy 🤝 pic.twitter.com/wHPM6x21ns
— Aston Villa (@AstonVilla) August 21, 2026
“Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham United. Welcome, Aaron,” the club announced on social media.
Champions League Step-Up For Former Manchester United Defender
The D.R. Congo international made 25 Premier League appearances during 2025/26 as West Ham went down. His move takes him from the Championship to Champions League football with Villa, representing a major change in competitive level for the former Manchester United defender.
Villa’s Summer Recruitment Drive Continues
Wan-Bissaka has become Villa’s sixth signing of the summer as Emery strengthens his squad. The club’s activity has also included Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Alejandro Garnacho, Modou Keba Cisse, Matteo Ruggeri and Zion Suzuki.
This week, Villa signed goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and left-back Matteo Ruggeri. Their other summer additions include midfielders Joao Gomes from Wolves and Johan Manzambi from Freiburg.
| Player | Move or Status | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | Joined Aston Villa from West Ham United | Season-long loan with a conditional obligation to buy |
| Taylor Harwood-Bellis | Subject of rejected Aston Villa bid | Offer worth around £18m plus add-ons rejected by Southampton |
| Ezri Konsa | Set to join Arsenal | Deal expected to be worth more than £50m |
| Zion Suzuki | Signed by Aston Villa | Goalkeeper joined from Parma |
| Matteo Ruggeri | Signed by Aston Villa | Left-back joined from Atletico Madrid |
| Joao Gomes | Signed by Aston Villa | Midfielder joined from Wolves |
| Johan Manzambi | Signed by Aston Villa | Midfielder joined from Freiburg |
Harwood-Bellis Pursuit Hits Southampton Valuation Barrier
Villa have also attempted to strengthen their defence with a move for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, but Southampton have rejected a bid worth around £18m plus add-ons.
Harwood-Bellis has one England cap, earned in a 2024 Nations League match against Republic of Ireland. He started his career in the Manchester City academy but did not make a first-team appearance for the club.
Aston Villa’s Wider Squad Turnover
Villa’s squad has undergone considerable change since winning the Europa League in May. The club have sold several key players, including Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, Morgan Rogers to Chelsea and Lucas Digne to Paris St-Germain.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez and club record goalscorer in the Premier League Ollie Watkins have also been linked with moves away, adding further context to Villa’s busy transfer window.
