Harry Maguire to make mockery of Ten Hag decision, with West Ham captaincy tipped for Man Utd scapegoat
West Ham United could make Harry Maguire their captain once they buy him from Manchester United, it has been suggested.
Maguire was recently stripped of the Man Utd captaincy by Erik ten Hag, who handed the armband to Bruno Fernandes instead. It was the latest sign of how far he has fallen after he was already overtaken in the pecking order at centre-back by Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Although there was initially a belief that Maguire would stay and fight for his place, he has now been presented with an appealing escape route from Man Utd. Reports on Wednesday revealed that West Ham have reached an agreement in principle to sign him.
After their opening bid of around £20m was rejected, they have now succeeded by suggesting a transfer fee in the region of £30m. Furthermore, personal terms should be easy enough for Maguire to agree after all.
It means he could be about to embark on a new challenge with West Ham, who could allow him to prove himself again.
And not only will he be able to get his career back on track, he could show what he is really made of by becoming West Ham’s new captain.
READ MORE: Man Utd stun Tottenham, as Ten Hag eyes surprise replacement for Maguire
That’s according to former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, who told talkSPORT: “I’m so happy for him.
“He’s had a rough time at Manchester United, Harry Maguire – fans all jumping on the bandwagon, booing him. He makes a mistake pre-season, it goes to a goal, the fans are booing him.
“He hasn’t had a good time at Manchester United and he’s become the person to pick on.
“Hopefully it goes through for West Ham and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s made captain and he really gets his career back on the track.
“It’d be a great signing for West Ham. Good luck, Harry.”
West Ham waiting to appoint Rice successor
West Ham sold their own captain earlier in the summer when they accepted Arsenal’s club-record bid for Declan Rice. The Hammers have yet to announce who will succeed Rice as their skipper.
At the age of 30, Maguire might be a candidate to take on the leadership role given the amount of experience he has behind him. However, on the flipside, it could be argued that his form for Man Utd deteriorated when he took on their captaincy, since it potentially heightened the pressure on him.
Whatever happens, Maguire will be hoping to make the most of his fresh start as and when he is able to become a West Ham player.
They are set to become the fourth club he has represented in the Premier League after Hull City, Leicester City and Man Utd. They will also be able to offer him involvement in the Europa League next season after their triumph in last term’s Conference League.
Maguire’s Man Utd career would be ending with 175 appearances behind him and one medal after winning the EFL Cup last season.
READ MORE: West Ham rocked as Man City bid £70m for talisman they’ll struggle to keep
