Declan Rice exit could stop Harry Maguire transfer at West Ham United
Harry Maguire may be put off of a potential £40million move to West Ham as they look set to lose Declan Rice this summer and were in a relegation battle last season, according to the Daily Mirror.
The report suggests that, although the Hammers could offer Maguire European football, he is likely to prefer a move to Tottenham as West Ham look set to lose star man Rice this summer.
This, coupled with their relegation fight last season, looks to have put the Manchester United centre back off of a move to East London, with the Daily Mirror [June 27, pg 52] stating the opportunity to join Tottenham would be “the perfect move” for Maguire.
West Ham are keen to bring in a new centre-back this summer, having also been linked by the Belfast Telegraph to Arsenal’s Daniel Ballard, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland.
Maguire would be brilliant – but there are other options
Bringing in a Manchester United captain with 57 England caps, who’s played a key role in two World Cup campaigns, is never something to turn your nose up at.
Maguire hasn’t had the best time at Manchester United, with seemingly everything going wrong, but has always looked excellent for his national team, and a change of environments in a move to West Ham could bring the best out of him.
For £40million though, and with the player himself seemingly unsure on the move, there are plenty of other options the Hammers could target. The likes of Ballard and Edmond Tapsoba (although he looks set for a move to Spurs) have also been linked and could represent better value-for-money deals.
The fee of around £100million that West Ham look set to receive for Rice puts them in a strong position in the transfer market, and should they pursue Maguire, money should not be the obstacle.
In other West Ham news, James Ward-Prowse is said to be keen on a move to the Irons this summer