Manchester United transfer news as £35m Harry Maguire demand made to West Ham
Manchester United have demanded that West Ham pay £35m to secure the services of Harry Maguire this summer, according to the Sun.
The newspaper reported in its print edition [29 July, back page] that Erik ten Hag’s side will only sell the England international defender for a fee almost double that of what the Irons were willing to pay.
News broke late on 28 July thanks to the Athletic’s David Ornstein that David Moyes’ side had made an offer of £20m, but it had been rejected by the Red Devils with it being unlikely the London club would bid again.
But the sun suggest this deal could still be completed, with Jordan Davies writing: “Manchester United are holding out for £35m to sell Harry Maguire to West Ham. The Hammers yesterday had a £20m bid rejected after being told United would not consider a loan deal.
“Boss David Moyes is now expected to return with a bigger offer and work on convincing Maguire to move to the Europa Conference League winners.”
Too big a fee
You have to wonder if West Ham were buying a player with Maguire’s recent form from any other club in the world, whether they would be expected to pay anywhere near as big a fee to complete the deal.
While some will say that this is the same player that cost Manchester United near £80m in 2019 and that is only natural they want to recoup some of their investment, the player leaving Old Trafford couldn’t be much different from the one who arrived.
The then 26-year-old had starred for both Leicester City and England, and arguably should never have been that expensive in the first place, but now he is an out of form 30-year-old defender struggling to even get a game in Manchester.
While it is easy to see why Moyes wants him at the London Stadium, Maguire has a wealth of Premier League experience and would likely enjoy the step out of the spotlight slightly, the risk of the deal being deemed a failure only becomes greater the bigger the fee as Maguire found out himself at Old Trafford.
For £35m there will be better value for money targets out there, they may not be as experienced or in the Moyes’ mould immediately, but the Irons probably should look elsewhere.
In other West Ham United news, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has identified the Hammers number one midfield target this summer