Fabrizio Romano waits on Harry Maguire story at Manchester United amid West Ham United transfer update
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that he is not aware of any West Ham negotiations for Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire but believes that the England international has a high chance of leaving Old Trafford this summer.
Maguire and manager Erik ten Hag are set for talks next week amid the Hammers’ recently reported links with the former Leicester City man (7 July), but the club could be put off the deal due to the 30-year-old’s cost [Independent].
The club are currently prioritising their midfield after the £105million sale of Declan Rice was finalised earlier this week (4 July) [The Guardian], so their interest in Maguire is not imminent.
Romano said on his daily briefing on the Caught Offside substack (9 July): “Another story we’re waiting for is Harry Maguire and his talks with Erik ten Hag, it will happen in the next days. At the moment I’m not aware of negotiations with West Ham, they are still busy with the midfielder situation as they have to replace Declan Rice.
“It’s not something imminent, at the moment, but I still think there are chances for Maguire to leave Old Trafford this summer.”
Hampered by the price
West Ham should be hesitant with Maguire.
Despite high-profile mistakes and regular criticism, there is a quality player in Maguire. Being Manchester United’s £80million captain always puts a target on your back, but his large fee and high wages will always make him a tough asset to shift when he does not perform.
He shone at Leicester, and his transfer fee did not seem as poor a deal at the time. But hindsight is 20/20 and the England international is unlikely to be worth anywhere near that in 2023. But quality performances for Gareth Southgate’s England side have saved him from being a completely hopeless cause.
Perhaps a move away from the spotlight of Manchester United and a move to a West Ham team on the up could be a shrewd career move for Maguire, but he is shackled by the finances of his signing.
He may have to take a large wage cut, with the Sheffield-born defender on a reported £189,000 a week [The Mirror] at United. West Ham’s current highest earner is Lucas Paqueta, on a reported £150,000 [Spotrac], so chairman David Sullivan is unlikely to break the club’s wage structure for Maguire.
It is a shame for Maguire, who deserves a chance at a career restart. He is a quality ball carrier for Manchester United and England and can be very composed aerially with 3.01 aerial duels won per 90 (88th percentile) and 1.66 blocks per 90 (89th percentile) [FBRef].
If Manchester United want to offload him, they will have to take a financial hit as clubs are unlikely to take such a high-cost risk for an aging player.