Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been linked with a move to West Ham.
Maguire has rapidly fallen down the pecking order since Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford. He started the first two Premier League games under the Dutchman but now sits behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw – as his place in the England team has also been in question due to a lack of gametime.
West Ham could take Maguire off United’s hands this transfer window as they have recently received an influx of cash having sold Declan Rice to Arsenal for a record £105m fee. Scott McTominay has been eyed as a potential replacement while Maguire could potentially follow him to the London Stadium.
United have reportedly slapped a price tag of £40m on Maguire, however, which has proven prohibitive as he is out of the first-team picture of the club and any buying club would unlikely have any considerable chance of selling him in the future, having already turned 30.
United do have one extra motive for selling Maguire as aside from any transfer fee they would receive for the skipper, his wages would also come off the books. The defender has two years left on his contract and reportedly earns £200,000-a-week, across the two years his wages would amount to £20.8m.
For a player that would likely be a fringe option and only play when the four options ahead of him are unavailable, just over £20m would be quite the saving. However, the club do not appear to be so keen on selling the former Leicester man – despite several Premier League teams said to be interested in his services.
Maguire reportedly wants to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place despite making just 16 league appearances last season including eight starts. Gareth Southgate has already warned him that his place on the international team could be in doubt, but Maguire and United appear to be on the same page.
Sky Sports News have claimed that Ten Hag will leave the decision up to Maguire over his future, as the club are aware that they will need to sign a replacement if he leaves.
The Red Devils have been linked with the likes of Axel Disasi and Jean-Clair Todibo, but with United standing to get a financial boost of £20m in addition to any transfer fee – their captain’s future remains up in the air.
