Man Utd ‘ready to sell’ Harry Maguire for significant loss, with West Ham setting terms of shock bid
Harry Maguire is attracting interest from West Ham United in January, according to a report that claims Manchester United are “ready to sell” their captain.
Maguire has suffered a fall from grace at Man Utd over the past couple of seasons. Although still club captain, he is not a regular starter for Erik ten Hag. Indeed, the Dutch tactician generally prefers to use Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as his main centre-backs.
Ten Hag has also shown a tendency recently to convert Luke Shaw from a left-back to a centre-half, instead of turning to Maguire, so there is a growing acceptance that the former Leicester City star may be nearing the end of his time at Old Trafford.
Maguire is under contract with Man Utd until 2025, with the option of a further year. But according to the Daily Mirror, the club are “ready to sell” him in the summer.
And the same report claims they could also receive an approach for him before then, while the January transfer window is still open.
According to the Mirror, West Ham have become contenders for Maguire’s signature. They have identified him as a possible target whom they could take on loan for the rest of the season.
West Ham are currently fending off interest from Wolves for Craig Dawson. But if they can replenish their depth with another centre-back, they may allow him to move on.
Maguire would certainly be a high-profile replacement, and appears to be on their shortlist. As stated, they are thinking of asking for him on loan this month, rather than complying with Man Utd’s plan to sell him in the summer.
Harry Maguire could revive career at West Ham
But a good loan spell with West Ham could raise Maguire’s market value, which the Red Devils know has dropped significantly since they signed him for £80million in 2019. It would be akin to how Jesse Lingard revived his career on loan at the London Stadium in 2021, only for his parent club not to capitalise by selling him.
This time, Maguire’s long-term fate seems to be sealed, with Man Utd prepared to cut their losses. Therefore, it surely can’t harm them to allow him to try and resurge with a different side who are at the opposite end of the Premier League table.
After all, Ten Hag still has Varane, Martinez, Shaw and Victor Lindelof at his disposal. He may also be on the lookout for an upgrade on Maguire that Man Utd could sign for themselves.
But the 29-year-old doesn’t seem to have a big place in his plans for the future. Thus, a January departure could come under consideration.
By moving to West Ham, Maguire would be facing a different kind of challenge. Indeed, he would be going from competing for Champions League qualification to a relegation battle.
That said, West Ham still have European football on offer this season after reaching the round of 16 of the Europa Conference League. And adding a player of Maguire’s experience could help them change their fortunes domestically too.
West Ham’s other centre-backs are Kurt Zouma, Thilo Kehrer, Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna, as well as Dawson. But Aguerd has encountered injury issues since his summer arrival. Besides, Ogbonna is in his mid-30s now and won’t be with the club forever.
Therefore, there are reasons why the under-pressure David Moyes might want to bring in defensive reinforcements this month.
Harry Maguire would certainly be a statement signing. Although, the Hammers would have to hope they get the version that impresses for England, rather than the one that has been a scapegoat at Man Utd.
