West Ham United: ‘Elephant in the room’ emerges in bid to sign Harry Maguire
A wage issue is the “elephant in the room” for Manchester United and West Ham regarding any potential deal for Harry Maguire, according to Alan Nixon.
Writing via his Patreon account (8 August), the Sun journalist suggested that West Ham cannot match the wages Maguire is on at Old Trafford, with a gap of “eight figures” being quoted, and the Red Devils will need to help the move by making up for lost wages.
David Moyes is keen on the 30-year-old defender, with the East London side prepared to pay £30million for his services, although the England international is not prepared to lose out on any money.
The wage issues have been described by Nixon as the “elephant in the room” and the Hammers might have to slightly increase their offer to soften the blow of Manchester United being required to pay some of Maguire’s wages if he leaves.
Tough break
While it is understandable that Maguire would not want to give up the lucrative salary he is currently on in the North, unfortunately for him, if he wants to play next season then that is exactly what he is going to have to do unless a compromise can be reached.
It is very unlikely the centre-back, who was recently removed from his role as captain, will get many minutes on the pitch this season, if any at all, should he choose to stay with Erik ten Hag’s men.
At West Ham, he would be a guaranteed starter and could revive his career which has slumped in recent seasons. There is no doubt he is a player of quality as he has demonstrated during his time with Leicester and whenever he has pulled on an England shirt.
And if he wants to have the chance to show that quality once again, someone is going to need to swallow a bitter pill and take a hit financially.
In other West Ham news, a player at the club is subject to interest from elsewhere in the Premier League.