Harry Maguire ordered to finalise decision on Man Utd exit with West Ham ‘confident’ despite Aston Villa interference
West Ham United are ‘confident’ of signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, according to a report, after it was claimed they may face late competition from Aston Villa.
After being stripped of the Man Utd captaincy and long since losing his role as a regular starter, Maguire is at a crossroads for his career. A solution might emerge from West Ham, who have agreed a £30m deal in principle with Man Utd.
However, it has emerged that personal terms between Maguire and West Ham are yet to be agreed. With various other factors at play too, the move is at a standstill.
But according to the Daily Telegraph, West Ham are ‘confident’ they can steer the transfer saga to a positive conclusion.
Per the report, Maguire has been told ‘he must decide’ if he is going to fight for his place at Man Utd or move on.
The 30-year-old still has a couple of years remaining on his contract with Man Utd, which is more lucrative than what he would earn at West Ham. However, he is behind Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in the centre-back hierarchy.
A move to West Ham would enable him to play more regularly, while a rumoured pay-off by Man Utd would dampen the blow of dropping to a lower salary at his new club.
The update from the Telegraph has come after a claim by Football Transfers that Aston Villa might be ready to interfere in the Maguire saga.
West Ham still preferred bidders and could set up triple deal
An injury to Tyrone Mings has prompted Aston Villa to look for defensive cover, which is why they may have turned to Maguire.
According to the report, Aston Villa have made preliminary enquiries to Man Utd about Maguire. However, they would only make a bid if the severity of the Mings injury was confirmed.
If that time comes, though, Unai Emery’s side seem willing to match or surpass any other offers on the table for the former Leicester City star.
But West Ham would still be Maguire’s preferred destination, even if he has hesitated on agreeing terms with them.
The same buyers have also been linked with Anthony Martial from Man Utd and his teammate Scott McTominay.
David Moyes’ side were previously thought to be out of the race for McTominay, but according to Football Insider, if they sell Lucas Paqueta to Manchester City, they will have the funds to go ahead with the deal after all.
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