England international centre-back Harry Maguire is reportedly open to joining West Ham United this summer if a transfer fee is agreed with Manchester United.
According to the Evening Standard, Manchester United outcast Harry Maguire has given his green light to join David Moyes’ team if the East London outfit can agree a fee with the Red Devils.
David Moyes is scrambling to bolster his squad ahead of another European campaign for West Ham, following the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal earlier in the window. As such, the Hammers recently reached an agreement to sign Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, and they are now focused on securing the services of Manchester United duo Maguire and Scott McTominay.
But attempts to do so have been thwarted so far – and the Hammers have been denied in their attempts to bring the Manchester United outcasts. The Red Devils rejected an offer of £20 million from the Hammers for Maguire last month, and it is reported that David Moyes’ side have now made an improved £30 million bid.
The Irons offered another £30 million to sign McTominay in a big-money double deal, but the Red Devils rejected that proposal as well. As per Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, David Moyes’ side are closer to a compromise on a fee for Maguire than for McTominay, but talks are ongoing between the two clubs.
The 30-year-old lost his starting place in the first team last season after United’s disastrous start to the Premier League campaign. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez subsequently forged a robust partnership at the back.
When Varane and Martinez got injured at the back end of the last campaign, Erik ten Hag deployed Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw in the heart of the defence, meaning Harry Maguire became the fifth-choice centre-back. Ten Hag took another huge decision last month, stripping Maguire of the club captaincy.
Today’s @EveningStandard back page:
◻️ Kane expects to stay at Tottenham
◻️ Maguire keen on West Ham move
◻️ Chelsea suffer Nkunku injury blow
◻️ Joshua to fight Helenius after Whyte withdrawal
◻️ Lionesses react to James red cardRead: https://t.co/UJ8i1OUmyk pic.twitter.com/t02iEx8Xxn
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) August 8, 2023
The England man was at fault in the pre-season game against Athletic Club. He gave away the ball sluggishly, which then led to a goal for La Liga outfit. The incident drew frustration, and he was ridiculed and booed by a portion of his own fanbase.
The situation is untenable for him to regain his form. It is high time for him to leave Old Trafford for the sake of his own career, and a move to London Stadium may well revive his flailing career.
If the Hammers can agree on a fee with United, it will then come down to whether David Moyes’ side can convince Maguire to join. Given that he previously scoffed at the prospect, that may be no simple task. But, in a big change of heart, the player has “now indicated he is keen to join the Hammers.”
He wants to play regularly to secure his spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2024 European Championships. The report adds that the East Londoners have no plans to cover his entire current £190,000 weekly salary. United will need to compensate the player to facilitate his departure.
