German journalist Florian Plettenberg has put one of the Summer’s biggest transfer sagas to rest. Harry Maguire, the English centre-back who has captained both the national team and Manchester United, will not leave the Red Devils for West Ham United.
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Harry Maguire Will Stay at United
ℹ️ @WestHam withdraws from the #Maguire poker. Too expensive. #MUFC #WHUFC @SkySportDE 🏴 pic.twitter.com/NUIAJHPLFl
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 29, 2023
Costs Too Much
As stated by the Sky Sports reported, Maguire is “too expensive” for the Hammers to purchase this transfer window. The then-24-year-old joined United in 2017, for what is still the world-record fee for a defender at nearly £80 million. The Red Devils are not looking to sell him at a large deficit. West Ham were not going to meet Erik ten Hag’s and the board’s asking price.
The Dutch coach may still have plans for the defender who he recently described as a “top-class centre-back” who is “the best for England”. This indicates that he believes there is talent and utility still to be found in the veteran.
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David Moyes’ club would have had to spend £50 million to gain Maguire’s services. It proved to be a price too high for them to match. Maguire has fallen out of favour with the Dutch coach, but an injury to Luke Shaw could see the now 30-year-old regain some time on the pitch, and offer a chance to prove himself once more.
West Ham’s Maguire Alternatives
Moyes has already signed one other centre-back this Summer. Konstantinos Mavropanos joined from Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart. The Greek defender was formerly an Arsenal player before his transfer to Germany.
Another rumoured target of the reigning Europa Conference League winners was Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton. The English youth team centreback never seemed likely to leave the Toffees, though, and West Ham did not meet his £15 million evaluation.
Maguire’s Place at Old Trafford
While it seemed as though a transfer would make sense for Maguire and Ten Hag, the Dutchman might find the 30-year-old useful in the coming weeks. Aside from the Shaw injury, which United have been furiously trying to find a replacement for, star centre-back Raphael Varane could soon find himself on the injured list.
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Maguire no longer holds a guaranteed spot on the pitch, but his playing time could increase if the Red Devils are not capable of finding solutions to their defensive injuries. Still capped by the English national team, the former Leicester City starlet has one more chance to display the skills that made him a record-breaker.
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