Man Utd ‘agree’ £30m transfer with West Ham after top target performs U-turn on summer exit
According to reports, Manchester United have ‘agreed’ a £30m deal with West Ham United that will see Harry Maguire sign for the London outfit.
Maguire was always likely to leave Man Utd this summer after he slipped down the pecking order last season.
The defender needed to pursue an exit to boost his chances of playing at next year’s European Championships after Erik ten Hag preferred to select Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw at centre-back last season.
The former Man Utd captain has been linked with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur this summer but West Ham are most interested in him.
Having initially failed with a loan bid, West Ham submitted a £20m offer for Maguire and they have since increased their proposal to £30m.
Sky Sports revealed on Wednesday morning that West Ham and Man Utd have “agreed a deal in principle for Maguire”. Their report added.
“West Ham have an agreement in principle with Manchester United to sign defender Harry Maguire in a deal worth in the region of £30m.
“Personal terms are now not expected to be a problem.
“There is still work to do on the details of his exit at United, but West Ham are now cautiously optimistic about completing the signing.”
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The Athletic have since added that West Ham’s £30m offer ‘has now been accepted’. They later state.
‘The Athletic has reported that Maguire, whose contract runs until 2025, hoped to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford, but England manager Gareth Southgate has indicated that a lack of playing time at United could impact his international career.’
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano earlier confirmed that Man Utd “will be busy with many deals” in the coming weeks.
“Today and in the next days, Man United will be busy with many deals. Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay; West Ham’s opening bid was rejected, but United will stay in contact,” Romano told Caught Offside.
“Fred will 100 percent leave Manchester United this summer. We know he’s out of contract in 2024, I told you a long time ago and I keep saying now, there is a conversation with many clubs. I will keep you posted, but Fred is leaving.
“There is an ongoing conversation between United and Real Sociedad for Donny van de Beek. Still no agreement, but the two clubs are speaking because the player is keen on the move. It’s crucial to understand what kind of formula they will find for this deal as Sociedad want a loan with a buy option clause.”
He added: “Man United are still thinking about the Dean Henderson situation. This is not something they will sort right now, it’s not imminent, but there remains an idea for Nottingham Forest to sign both him and Matt Turner, and a deal for the latter has already been closed. Forest will talk again with United for Henderson later in the window.”
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