Pundit slams ‘cheeky’ West Ham United live on talkSPORT after £20m Harry Maguire bid

Darren Ambrose believes West Ham were “cheeky” with their £20million bid for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.

As per journalist David Ornstein (28 July), the Red Devils rejected the bid from the Hammers for the 30-year-old centre-back.

Ambrose believes the East London club were testing Manchester United with the opening bid, adding that Maguire is instead worth around £30million.

“£20million won’t do it,” Ambrose said live on talkSPORT. “I think that’s a bit cheeky from West Ham. I think they are just testing the water, hoping that Manchester United might bite at it.

“But they’re probably getting a feeling of where Manchester United are. I’m hearing Manchester United are at around £35million.

“I think around £30million would do it. But I think at £30million, other Premier League clubs would come in.”

Will West Ham return?

The Hammers are clearly interested in the England international, who looks certain to struggle for minutes once again at Old Trafford next season.

The centre-back has largely watched on from the bench in recent times as Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have got the nod from manager Erik ten Hag.

It means Maguire should really be on the lookout for a new club this summer, particularly given how his England spot is now in jeopardy, with Euro 2024 rapidly approaching.

Ten Hag may want to keep the defender as a back-up option, but the player should really take matters into his own hands at this stage of his career and seek regular minutes elsewhere.

Such minutes would definitely arrive at the London Stadium under David Moyes, with the Hammers set to compete domestically and in Europe in the Europa League.

It remains to be seen, however, if the East London outfit go back in for the defender after their opening bid was rejected.

In other West Ham news, Moyes has mooted an important first-team role next season for a youngster the club like “a lot.”