West Ham United withdraw from race for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire – Fabrizio Romano
West Ham United have left the race for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire as a deal is too expensive, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Writing on his personal Twitter account (29 August), the reliable transfer journalist reports that the England international is no longer on the club’s list for a new transfer before Friday’s deadline.
Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg also reported the news, stating that the Hammers feel the deal is too expensive to proceed with now.
“West Ham have decided to leave the race for Harry Maguire, as things stand — after trying again but no green light from Man United,” he wrote.
“He’s no longer on the club’s list at this stage, as [Florian Plettenberg] reported.”
Expected
Signing Maguire at this stage of the window always seemed highly unlikely after we signed Dinos Mavropanos when the deal collapsed initially earlier this month.
But with some talk that Maguire has now made a u-turn on his future, there was some hope that the club may be able to get a deal done.
However with so little time remaining in the window, Man United needed a replacement in to let him go and after already having a £30m bid accepted they were never going to accept a loan option from us.
It means the deal is dead in the water at this stage unless there is a big change in stance from either club, and we can spend the final days focusing on targets elsewhere in the squad that are more pressing issues.
A striker is needed and you could argue another midfielder too, but the squad is looking much better off than it did at the time of the first game of the season so fans should be happy.
In other West Ham news, winner named in race for £25m Premier League linked striker.