Harry Maguire to West Ham United development emerges in final week of transfer window
West Ham have re-opened talks with Manchester United over a move for Harry Maguire, according to Alan Nixon.
The Hammers agreed a £30million deal with Man United for Maguire earlier this month, only for the England international to turn down the switch [Sky Sports].
West Ham have since brought in Konstantinos Mavropanos from Stuttgart, but they have seemingly not ended their interest in Maguire just yet, albeit with a deal still a long way off.
Journalist Nixon provided an update on the situation on his Patreon page on Sunday [27 August].
“West Ham have opened talks with Manchester United again for Harry Maguire – but they are well short of doing the deal,” he said.
“Hammers want to sign England centre-half Maguire and are trying to find a way to pay a little more to help United to pay him off.
“Maguire has two years left on his Old Trafford deal and is owned fortunes.
“Hammers chief David Moyes wants him but the money men are sure of the expense.
“United want a sale to finance other signings but the numbers of a settlement are yet to work for the player.”
Move on
This latest development is rather surprising on the face of it.
West Ham appeared to have moved on from the Maguire saga when signing Mavropanos for £20m.
That leaves Moyes with Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna, Nayef Aguerd and Mavropanos – when fit – to choose from in the heart of defence.
While it could be argued Maguire is better than each of those – albeit not over the past 12 months – it seems strange to sign another defender.
Given the Englishman has already turned down an approach to the London Stadium, you have to wonder exactly how much he wants the move?
If it is a choice between Maguire and another £30m player, the money would surely be better spent elsewhere, possibly at full-back.
Either way, this is a saga that is not likely to conclude until the transfer window officially shuts next week.
In other West Ham news, Richard Keys poked fun at Moyes for something he did during the win over Brighton & Hove Albion.