Manchester United could still pay Harry Maguire wages at West Ham United, Hammers ‘encouraged’ by England defender
Manchester United could pay a significant proportion of Harry Maguire’s wages if he were to make a move to West Ham, according to The Athletic.
Laurie Whitwell reported on the outlet’s website on Monday night (7 August), as the Hammers made a £60million double-bid for the former Old Trafford captain and his midfield teammate Scott McTominay, that West Ham were willing to offer Maguire £100,000-a-week and have been “encouraged” the 30-year-old is “open to joining”.
As the England international earns £190,000-a-week in Manchester Whitwell reported a move could get done with “United potentially bridging the gap to his current £190,000 per week wages”, with half of the £60m bid allocated for the centre-back “close to the figure United would accept”.
Maguire had apparently been left “insulted” by the opening offer from the London Stadium undervaluing him, but as the money on the table has gone up perhaps he has changed his mind.
West Ham are finally closing in on their first signing of the summer with Edson Alvarez’s move from Ajax imminent, but there is still a lot of work for David Moyes to do before the transfer window shuts.
Almost there
It certainly sounds like the Hammers are a lot closer to getting a deal done for Maguire than they are for Scotland midfielder McTominay, 26.
The prospect of the Old Trafford side paying their former captain £90,000-a-week to not play for them is sure to go down like a lead balloon among the club’s fans, and potentially with Erik ten Hag.
But given the Dutchman has already taken the captaincy off Maguire and appears ready to get him out of the club perhaps he would value the £100,000-a-week off the wage bill more, and whatever fee might eventually be agreed.
The centre-back’s reputation has suffered badly at Manchester United since he made an £80m move from Leicester City in 2019, and with Ten Hag’s system clearly not suiting him a move looks the best option all round.
But if bids keep being rejected Moyes is going to have to decide whether he wants the 57-cap England international at all costs or not.
In theory West Ham are well stocked at centre-back with Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Thilo Kehrer in the squad, but the first three have all suffered notable injuries in the recent past.
Maguire could be a player who suits Moyes and the London Stadium perfectly, although he is the opposite of what Tim Steidten is looking for since he is a high-priced veteran player with minimal resale value.
There seem to be far more alternatives for where the McTominay pursuit is struggling, but Maguire looks to be the manager’s man, and by the sounds of things the numbers could get a helping hand from Old Trafford.
In other West Ham news, Kaveh Solhekol has given a live update on the futures of the manager and technical director on Sky Sports News.