Harry Maguire: West Ham move for Man Utd outcast ‘collapses’ as £7m pay-off talks rumble on
West Ham linked Man Utd defender Harry Maguire
West Ham have pulled out of negotiations to sign Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire this summer, according to reports.
The 30-year-old was relinquished of the Man Utd captaincy by Erik ten Hag last month and he has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford for some time.
West Ham have long been considered the favourites to sign Maguire despite interest from elsewhere. It now seems, however, that they will not pursue a deal for him after all.
The England international has fallen down the pecking order at Man Utd since the arrivals of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. He started just eight games in the Premier League last season.
As recently revealed by TEAMtalk, Man Utd are willing to sell Maguire this summer but only once they bring in a replacement.
Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is believed to be Ten Hag’s player of choice. The Frenchman is keen on a move to Old Trafford but Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to let him leave.
The delay caused by that deal, as well as talks regarding a pay-off for Maguire, have seemingly led to West Ham pulling out.
West Ham ‘grow tired’ of Maguire negotiations
According to the Guardian, West Ham’s move for Maguire has now ‘collapsed’ after the club ‘grew tired of waiting for the defender to agree his exit from Man Utd.’
The report states there ‘is a chance’ the deal could be revived, but it is not going ahead ‘at the moment.’
West Ham have allegedly grown frustrated over the delay and are now considering alternative centre-back options.
Maguire had already agreed personal terms with the Hammers but they have been waiting for the £80m signing to agree a pay-off from Man Utd.
He received a considerable salary increase after the Red Devils qualified for the Champions League. It is believed he earns around £190,000-per-week, with one year remaining on his contract.
The Guardian claim Maguire wants a pay-off of approximately £7m to leave Old Trafford this summer. Otherwise, he is happy to stay and fight for his place.
Ten Hag interestingly said in a recent interview that Maguire must ‘go’ if he can’t prove he is still a ‘top-class’ player.
“He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back,” said Ten Hag. “He is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us?
“But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go, then he has to make a decision.
With West Ham out of the race, at least for now, it will be interesting to see if another club make a concrete offer for Maguire in the next couple of weeks.
