West Ham are exploring a move for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire following the £105million departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.
Hammers boss David Moyes is willing to offer Maguire, 30, a lifeline to salvage his career, but the former United captain would need to take a substantial pay cut to fit in with the Hammers‘ wage structure.
United had sounded out West Ham about taking some of their players in exchange for Rice earlier in the window and Maguire’s name was one raised by West Ham, while United also proffered Scott McTominay and Anthony Elanga.
Maguire has accepted he would be best served by leaving United.
The club, as reported by Mail Sport, are open to offers for up to 13 players this summer as they hope to raise as much as £100m for new signings.
West Ham are exploring a move for out-of-favour Manchester United defender Harry Maguire
David Moyes is understood to be willing to hand Maguire a lifeline to salvage his career
Centre back Maguire set them back a hefty £80m after joining from Leicester in 2019 but will be allowed to leave if a £40m offer is tabled.
It is understood that Maguire, along with the other players potentially up for grabs, will not be forced out and United are happy to let them fight for their places.
Maguire made just eight Premier League starts last season and slipped down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag. Despite this, he remains a regular for England.
Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and even left back Luke Shaw were all typically selected ahead of Maguire in the heart of defence last campaign.
His position as captain also appears untenable, though Ten Hag has quashed speculation a decision over the next skipper will be decided by his squad.
‘No, I don’t let the dressing room vote,’ he said. ‘It is up to me.’
Maguire was signed by the Red Devils in 2019 for £80million – still the world-record fee for a defender.
But having started only 16 games last term, as revealed by Mail Sport last month, he is now one of several players up for sale this summer.
Maguire slipped down the pecking order during Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge of United
Club captain Maguire was also present, arriving in his range rover, as doubt continues over his future with the Red Devils.
United have been in training for over a week now with their first game held last week as they beat Leeds 2-0 in Norway in their opening game of the summer.
Non-internationals such as Mason Mount, Raphael Varane and Tom Heaton played in the game which saw youngsters Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill net in the second half to give Erik ten Hag’s side the win.
They will continue their campaign against Lyon on Wednesday before heading to the United States for games against Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
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