West Ham United transfer news as Harry Maguire has high expectations of next club – David Ornstein
West Ham United defensive target Harry Maguire has high expectations of his next club should he leave Manchester United this summer, according to David Ornstein.
The Hammers saw a £20million offer rejected by the Red Devils for the England international [The Athletic, 28 July] with the East Londoners seeking statement reinforcements this summer following the sal of Declan Rice to Arsenal in a deal worth £105m.
Manchester Evening News journalist Sam Luckhurst reported on 29 July that it may take up to £40m for Manchester United to consider selling the former Leicester City defender, but according to Ornstein, speaking to Sky Sports News [28 July], the Hammers are unlikely to return with an improved offer.
The Athletic journalist said: “It’s unlikely West Ham are going to push harder for the time being. Their £20m bid was made on the basis that Maguire’s salary is very high for them and they probably can’t go much further in terms of what else they’re trying to do.
“And so I think for the time being, Maguire intends to stay and fight for his place. Would he want to go to West Ham is a question we don’t know because there are suggestions that he’s got really high expectations if he’s to leave Manchester United, of where he might go afterwards.”
Euro 2024 on the agenda
Much has been made of Harry Maguire’s future at Old Trafford, following his announcement that he will no longer be Manchester United captain with Erik ten Hag reportedly placing him for sale this summer.
Given the England international struggles of late, he’d still represent a stunning opportunity for clubs like West Ham United but his £45m big money price tag is indeed a stumbling block coupled with his hefty wages.
Ornstein is absolutely right, Maguire will have high expectations of his next club, especially leaving a club as huge and ambitious as Manchester United.
Is West Ham United the right club for him to continue his career? That decision certainly lies with him, if he is to leave. Right now, that move seems unlikely with Maguire desperate and determined to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
Ultimately though, Maguire will have next summer’s Euro 2024 at the back of his mind and his place in Gareth Southgate’s plans could be in serious jeopardy, should he fail to impress Ten Hag.
That may sway his decision to stay and West Ham United’s hesitancy to make another push for his signature this summer seeing as his opportunities to claim a place in the England setup may be limited.
In other West Ham news, the door has been opened for West Ham to move for a German international defender.