Ex-West Ham target Harry Maguire could be sold by Manchester United for just £10m in the next transfer window, according to the Daily Star (via the Evening Standard).
The English tabloid claims that the defender is unlikely to sign a new contract and, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, the Red Devils are hoping to sell before he can leave for nothing.
Maguire was the subject of a bid from the Hammers during the 2023 summer transfer window but, even with his valuation having dropped sharply, fans on X doubt whether their club should make a move for him:
Would he start ??
— gary jones (@garyjones68) October 14, 2024
And before you say it, we don’t want him
— natasha ann ❤🇬🇧 (@OMG_its_tasha_) October 13, 2024
We need younger players not slow carthorses!
Too slow too old for us— Antonio9 (@greenturtle41) October 13, 2024
— Funsize (@funsizephil) October 13, 2024
Don’t need him now so no brainer let someone else have him
— Paul Sage (@PaulSageHoudini) October 14, 2024
No need
— Stuart Dillon #COYI (@StuartDillon1) October 13, 2024
‘Beggars can’t be choosers’
West Ham are not exactly awash with cash, having spent heavily over the summer, and they remain short of options in the middle of defence.
It wasn’t exactly great planning to leave head coach Julen Lopetegui with only three senior centre-backs. With that in mind, Maguire’s availability for such a low fee means he should come under consideration.
Have West Ham looked at any alternatives to Maguire?
The Irons did hand a trial to former Sheffield United defender John Egan but the Irishman did not earn himself a contract. The alternative was believed to be Joel Matip but the ex-Liverpool player has recently announced his retirement.
There have been rumours that the club could pursue AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, who was also a target in the summer, but his €30m (£25m) asking price may be too much.
Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
