Game over as Man Utd block ‘fresh approach’ for Maguire after two Prem rivals join West Ham in race

Samuel Bannister 29 Aug 2023 9:36 AM

Manchester United have told the main suitors for Harry Maguire that the defender is going nowhere this summer after all, according to reports.

Maguire has been linked with an exit from Man Utd all summer after falling down the pecking order at centre-back and losing the club captaincy. West Ham have looked to be the likeliest club to sign him after reaching an agreement in principle for a £30m move earlier this month.

However, the move has been held up by a range of factors, such as Maguire failing to agree a pay-off with his current employers ahead of taking a lower salary at the London Stadium.

Nevertheless, West Ham have revived their hopes of signing Maguire in recent days, despite already adding Konstantinos Mavropanos to their defence since their original move stalled.

However, The Times has now revealed that Man Utd have said no to West Ham’s ‘fresh approach’. The new stance is that Maguire will be staying at Old Trafford this summer.

Therefore, they have ‘blocked’ West Ham from signing the 30-year-old. Injury issues in their own defence are part of the decision, though it has always been maintained that they would not push the England international out of the club this year.

There has been interest in him, though, which could have given them a decision to make. Now, they have made their mind up that he will be staying put.

No chance of loan exit for Maguire

Elsewhere, the Daily Mail has ruled out the prospect of Man Utd sending Maguire out on loan. Their report hints that Everton and Newcastle could come into the picture for the former Leicester City star in the final few days of the transfer window, as well as West Ham.

TEAMtalk revealed at the start of this month that Everton could join the race for Maguire. According to the latest, they or Newcastle could make a late move depending on injuries.

If they want to take him on loan, though, they would have no chance of succeeding. Paired with the information from The Times too, even a permanent bid would likely fail now.

Maguire remains under contract with Man Utd until 2025, with the option of a further year. He is yet to play for them this season, but has previously made 175 appearances since joining the club in 2019.

He is competing with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and possibly Jonny Evans for a place at centre-back in the current Man Utd squad, while the injured Luke Shaw can also operate there when available.

Manchester United Harry Maguire