West Ham United could still do a lot in the remaining two weeks of the summer transfer window, but it doesn’t seem to be about Harry Maguire anymore. As numerous English media reports unanimously, the supposedly imminent change of the central defender from Manchester United to the Hammers has burst.
Both clubs had already agreed on a fee, reportedly around 35 million euros, as did Maguire and West Ham on a contract. But then the Londoners are said to have distanced themselves from the deal – allegedly because they did not want to wait any longer until Maguire and United made a severance agreement that was not apparent.
While West Ham is now looking for alternatives, ManUnited may no longer be doing that: With Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelöf and Maguire, coach Erik ten Hag has the desired number of central defenders available – and without the planned Maguire transfer they are too limited financial options.
So it’s quite possible that Benjamin Pavard will have to bury his dream of moving to Old Trafford, at least for the time being – this is also reported by “Sky Sports” in England. The Bayern defender, whose contract expires in the summer of 2024, had already received an offer from the Red Devils. It is doubtful that they will find another buyer for Maguire by September 1st who will agree with him.
Maguire remains number four for ten Hag
The situation of the 30-year-old remains difficult. After falling behind in the previous season and being increasingly treated with malice on social media, another blow followed this summer: Ten Hag took away the captain’s armband, which Bruno Fernandes is allowed to wear from now on.
In addition, Maguire, who has not been the most expensive defender in the world since Josko Gvardiol’s EUR 90 million move from RB Leipzig to Manchester City, also has to worry about his place in the English national team with a view to the EM 2024, even if he is under Coach Gareth Southgate was last set. Ten Hag, on the other hand, let it be known at the Premier League opener that Maguire is still only his fourth choice: When Varane sideman Martinez had to go down against Wolverhampton (1-0) at the break, Lindelöf came.
