Manchester United defender Harry Maguire shares why he snubbed West Ham United summer transfer
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has spoken out on why he snubbed a move to West Ham United in the summer transfer window.
West Ham agreed a mega £30million fee with the Premier League giants [Daily Mail, 9 August], only for a deal to then fall through after an issue emerged over a potential payoff from Old Trafford to quit (Jacob Steinberg, 14 August).
The 30-year-old has fallen way down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag since then, with just one Premier League start to his name so far.
And speaking ahead of the England internationals [Sky Sports, 10 October], the Manchester United centre-back revealed that no agreement was reached between both clubs and himself, but still desires game time as he attempts to prove himself again at Old Trafford.
He said: “Regular game time is really important to me, it has been throughout my career.
“The actual opportunity to go to West Ham wasn’t agreed really between the two clubs and myself. It wasn’t just my chance to say yes, I’m going.
“It wasn’t agreed between both clubs. The opportunity wasn’t there because we didn’t get far enough down the line but West Ham is a massive club but like I said my full focus is on Manchester United.
“I want to fight for my place but of course, game time is really important.”
Mavropanos better solution
There was some concern among the fan base that the reason this deal didn’t progress since a bid was accepted was because of Maguire’s wages, but that now appears to have been squashed by the England international.
It was a simple case of all parties failing to find an agreement and Maguire’s desire to prove himself once again at Old Trafford but given the way his campaign has gone in Manchester so far, it seems to be a mistake.
Maguire has made just the one Premier League start all season which certainly hints at what Ten Hag thinks of him right now, and he could well have been flourishing had he made the move to the English capital.
West Ham United won’t mind though, as they signed a defender with a higher ceiling and potential within the camp in Konstantinos Mavropanos who is certainly worth more value for money than Maguire and could yet become one of the best of his position in no time at all.
It won’t be ruled out that West Ham go back in for Maguire next year, but having been led down the garden path by him once already, they should think twice before showing any interest. They already have a much better solution.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has revealed what he’s been told about the club’s plans in the January transfer window and an “alternate” role for one big-money London Stadium signing.