After a summer of rumours, West Ham seem to have finally got their number one transfer target after they agreed a Harry Maguire transfer fee with Manchester United. The ex-United captain, who was only stripped of the armband earlier this summer, now looks set to depart Old Trafford for a fee of £30m after the two Premier League clubs came to an agreement this morning.
After losing the captaincy at Manchester United, many people expected Maguire to push for a move out of Old Trafford, however, he was said to be determined to break back into the first team after falling down the pecking order last season. Now, though, it looks like he won't be afforded that chance and will look to restart his stuttering career in East London under David Moyes.
Maguire had a rollercoaster of a time at Manchester United after signing for the club for a whopping £80m back in 2019. Six months after signing for the club, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed him as club captain after an impressive start to life at Old Trafford, and it looked as if the England defender would enjoy a long stay at the club.
However, after some poor performances over the past couple of seasons, Erik Ten Hag made the decision to build his defence around Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof even wrestled his way above Maguire in the pecking order at Old Trafford after further Maguire mishaps. The 30-year-old is now expected to sign a long-term deal with West Ham and complete a medical in the coming days.
West Ham have reached an agreement in principle with Manchester United for Harry Maguire on £30m fee 🚨⚒️
The verbal agreement is subject to final, key points on deal structure still under discussion but fee now agreed, as per Sky.
Personal terms, to be discussed soon. pic.twitter.com/cIcr0L5fR4
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 9, 2023
Will Scott McTominay join Maguire at West Ham?
Earlier this week, West Ham made a combined offer of £60m for Maguire and McTominay but saw their bid rejected. The Hammers are reportedly still interested in McTominay but they are aware they will have to get closer to Man Utd's £40-45m valuation of the midfielder if they are to prise him away from Old Trafford.
In the meantime, West Ham have sealed a deal for another midfielder. The Hammers have agreed a £30m fee with Southampton for the signing of James Ward-Prowse and they are hopeful of getting all the paperwork over the line in time so that the 28-year-old can be in their squad for their opening game of the season against Bournemouth on Saturday.
David Moyes will be keen to get a deal for McTominay sorted quickly too so that he can pair the Scot with Ward-Prowse as West Ham adjust to life after Declan Rice.
