West Ham find McTominay alternative, but Man Utd compromise for Maguire is coming
West Ham are pursuing a different midfielder to Scott McTominay following a Man Utd rejection, though a reporter claims a “compromise” could see Harry Maguire switch clubs.
The Hammers recently saw two separate £30m bids knocked back for Maguire and McTominay. Man Utd are understood to be open to cashing in on the pair, though only at the right price.
The Red Devils reportedly value McTominay around the £40m mark. Elsewhere, the Manchester Evening News claimed Erik ten Hag wants between £30m-£35m for Maguire.
As such, West Ham’s bid was at the bottom end of Man Utd’s price range and according to Sky Sports, the Hammers might be willing to compromise and pay that little bit extra.
Sky’s Dharmesh Sheth tweeted West Ham are “closer to [a] compromise on [the] Maguire fee compared to McTominay.”
Maguire is facing another season of warming the bench if he elects to remain at Old Trafford. The 30-year-old is a distant fourth-choice at centre-half and was recently stripped of the club’s captaincy.
A move to West Ham would come with a much greater guarantee of regular game-time. That could be essential if Maguire is to retain his starting role for England at Euro 2024.
However, according to Football Transfers, a potential wrinkle comes from the claim Maguire doesn’t want to join a team who don’t have Champions League football.
West Ham will be in the Europa League this season thanks to their Europa Conference League exploits. But per Football transfers, that’s not the competition Maguire craves.
As such, even if West Ham and Man Utd do agree on a fee, convincing Maguire to sign up might not be straightforward.
West Ham bounce back to James Ward-Prowse
Elsewhere, Sheth claimed West Ham may yet revisit a McTominay deal later in the window despite the £10m valuation gap.
But for the time being at least, a move for the Scotland international is on ice and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse is back in their sights.
West Ham have already seen bids worth £20m and £30m for the set piece specialist turned down.
Nonetheless, with the McTominay plans parked, David Moyes will reignite a move for the 28-year-old Saints captain.
West Ham have already wrapped up an agreement for their would-be Declan Rice successor – Edson Alvarez.
The Mexico international will cost around £35m to pluck from Ajax and flew to London to undergo a medical today.
Moyes hopes to sign a second midfielder with the Rice windfall and that’s where McTominay and now Ward-Prowse come in.
READ MORE: Man Utd blow as top Ten Hag target ‘insists’ on European move as three clubs battle for £30m star
