EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd may keep Maguire for another season

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 8 Aug 2023 10:35 BST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Harry Maguire could stay with Manchester United for another season as the England international is refusing to join a club not playing in the Champions League.

As FootballTransfers revealed last year, the defender was earmarked to exit Old Trafford in the subsequent season, as Erik ten Hag told club officials about the overhaul he had in mind, with even the then-captain being surplus to requirements.

There is now doubt over whether Maguire will leave this window as planned, while we understand West Ham are preparing to look at other targets after their first approach was rebuffed for the player.

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Man Utd have set a public asking price of £40 million for the centre-back, but a fee closer to £30 million with add-ons could be enough. However, it’s been made clear to us that West Ham, at this moment in time, are not willing to pay such an amount for Maguire.

Maguire, meanwhile, is unhappy with joining the side and wants a bigger club to play for next season. We are told that it’s David Moyes pushing this transfer, but there are conflicting messages about just how much power the Scotsman now yields.

West Ham recruitment

Tim Steidten, the club’s technical director, is very much hands-on in terms of recruitment. The former Bayer Leverkusen executive wants to bring in young talent to West Ham instead of relying on older footballers with Premier League experience.

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West Ham have had trouble in the market this window, having not bought anyone so far. The club are hoping to ensure that they are not in a relegation battle next term but are struggling to source their targets because of the high-profile £105m move of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

The club have become frustrated with the inflamed prices they are getting for their targets. West Ham will be fighting on a fourth front next season, too, having gained entry to the Europa League after winning the Europa Conference League final last campaign.