West Ham United wait for permission to begin Harry Maguire talks – Fabrizio Romano
West Ham United are waiting for permission from Manchester United to begin discussing personal terms with Harry Maguire, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer specialist reported on his personal Twitter account (9 August) that the Hammers are waiting to begin contact over personal terms with the former Manchester United captain until it is authorised by the Red Devils.
David Moyes has long been pursuing the England international’s signature, with Maguire and Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse being the Scotsman’s priority targets this summer and the Irons have agreed a £30m fee for the defender.
Explaining the current status of the deal, Romano explained to his 17.7m followers on Twitter that: “West Ham, now waiting to have formal authorisation to start discussions over personal terms with Harry Maguire.
“Man United want clarity over details of deal structure/payment terms after fee agreed earlier for £30m. MUFC options to replace him: Pavard, Todibo, Tapsoba.”
Getting closer
Hopefully, this deal is just a case of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts away from being completed and Moyes can end his summer-long pursuit of his preferred centre-back without any more bumps in the road.
The Irons should have more than enough cash at their disposal having sold Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m earlier this transfer window to find a payment plan which the Red Devils can agree to so the only stumbling block could come in personal terms.
Maguire has had a big boost to his wages because of United’s Champions League qualification last season and in theory could sit on his contract at Old Trafford until it expired in 2025, but he has a desire to play.
A move to the London Stadium will allow him to not only play in the Premier League but also the Europa League while likely ensuring that his England career will remain alive if he is playing upwards of 40 matches a season.
Moyes and most West Ham fans will have their fingers crossed that the rest of this deal is plain sailing.
In other West Ham news, Lucas Paqueta could force through his exit amid interest from Manchester City