Harry Maguire’s anticipated £30 million transfer to West Ham United seems to have hit a roadblock as the player’s negotiations with Manchester United grow increasingly frustrating.
The England defender’s potential move to West Ham has hit a snag due to Harry Maguire‘s unresolved exit discussions at Manchester United, leading the east London club to explore alternative central defensive options.
Harry Maguire is fourth choice at Old Trafford but is holding out for a £10m pay-off
According to initial reports from The Guardian, West Ham has shifted their focus towards other potential defensive signings due to their patience running thin with Maguire’s situation. While an agreement over the transfer fee was reached between the clubs last week, Maguire’s hesitance is linked to his desire for compensation.
Harry Maguire had already agreed upon personal terms with West Ham, which would have entailed a wage reduction from his £190,000 salary at Old Trafford. This decision highlights his determination to secure a significant pay-off, estimated to be around £10 million. With two years left on his current contract, Maguire experienced a pay increase after Manchester United qualified for the Champions League.
Manchester United had secured Maguire’s services from Leicester City in 2019 for a staggering £80 million, a record-breaking sum for a defender. However, Maguire’s suitability for the team’s playing style came into question during the previous season under head coach Erik ten Hag. This led to limited appearances, with the player starting only eight league matches and spending a considerable amount of time on the bench.
During the recent 1-0 victory over Wolves, Maguire remained an unused substitute. Prior to the match, Ten Hag emphasized that Maguire needed to “prove” himself to earn his spot in the team. In the game, Swedish international Victor Lindelof took the field as a substitute, suggesting that Maguire is currently at best the fourth-choice central defender.
Harry Maguire was an unused substitute in Monday night’s win over Wolves (Image: Will Palmer/Allstar)
Ten Hag commented: “For Harry, that’s how I see it. He must fight for his place. He possesses the potential to be a top-tier centre-back, and he is an asset to the England team, so there’s no reason he can’t excel with us as well. But he needs to demonstrate it. If he lacks the confidence to compete, he should leave. He has a decision to make, and I’m content with that.”
While West Ham’s manager, David Moyes, previously confirmed that they had an accepted bid for Maguire, he refrained from discussing the player’s potential contributions to the team as he had not yet officially joined the club.
