Erik ten Hag makes new Harry Maguire transfer admission amid West Ham United speculation
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted Harry Maguire “wants to play” in response to recent transfer links with West Ham United.
Reports emerged from The Sun (16 March) that the Hammers are preparing a new bid for the England international at the end of the season having attempted to lure him to the London Stadium last summer.
While Ten Hag insists the Red Devils are more than happy to have Maguire in their squad at Old Trafford, the Dutchman did reveal that the 31-year-old defender wants to play regularly when asked about the Irons’ interest.
As quoted by Metro on Friday (12 April) he said: “We were always happy with Harry Maguire – but he wants to play. He’s a great leader, he’s a very good defender, very comfortable on the ball.
“When I count all of those abilities, just now when we are on our defending line we have our problems, he is even more important to lead that line, to make us play from the back.
“So we are very pleased he is there and we need him to get our results and achieve our targets.”
Will West Ham United complete Harry Maguire signing this summer?
The Hammers need defensive reinforcement sooner rather than later as although their current options are reasonably strong, they are neither reliable to consistent enough for a side challenging at the top of the Premier League.
Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd have been linked with moves away this summer while Konstantinos Mavropanos has been criticised by some pundits and supporters for his outings in his first season in East London.
Maguire would be a natural fit to come in and help solve those issues at West Ham, but it remains to be seen whether he or Manchester United would be keen on agreeing a deal to allow him to leave Old Trafford.
Ten Hags’ admission that the 31-year-old wants to be playing regular football however may boost the Irons’ chances of getting a deal love the line but this feels like a transfer saga that could rumble on throughout the summer.
In other West Ham news, Simon Jordan and Martin Keown have clashed live on air over a new Moyes sack verdict
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