Man Utd star told exit will be ‘difficult’ as £80m flop is ready to ‘fight’ for his place under Ten Hag
A summer exit for Harry Maguire is now looking ‘difficult’ as the Manchester United defender is prepared to fight for his place under Erik ten Hag.
The speculation surrounding Maguire’s future at Old Trafford is rife. West Ham have already seen a £20m bid rejected and Ten Hag could be left in an awkward spot.
The Dutch manager has already stripped Maguire of the captaincy, but he is prepared to keep him at the club for the upcoming season.
Maguire only started in eight league games under Ten Hag last season, but despite his lack of game time, he is still willing to stick it out at Old Trafford.
Simon Stone has delivered an update on Maguire’s current situation and why a summer exit may prove difficult for the £80m signing.
“The word we have got out of the Maguire camp is that he is resolute in thinking he can get his place back in the Manchester United side,” Stone told BBC Sport.
“Ten Hag has taken the captaincy off him but he has said that might be a good thing. I think United would be open to selling him if Maguire was keen to move.
“I think the problem from the West Ham side is they would really like him but the wages Maguire is on would be far in excess of anything they are paying.
“How do you do that deal? They have money from selling Declan Rice. But how do you do that deal without all the West Ham squad saying ‘that guy who has come in is earning a lot of money, we want more as well’?
“I think that is difficult to navigate and I’m not sure they will push through the deal.”
With West Ham seemingly being priced out of a deal for the time being, Maguire seems content to stick it out at Old Trafford.
“And as I say, Maguire is believing he will fight for his place,” Stone added. “Clearly if we get to the first weeks of the season and it doesn’t look like he will get a game the transfer window closes on 1 September so maybe the situation will be looked at again.
“Maguire is not a player United can sell and not bring in a replacement, so I have a feeling he will stay.”
Tottenham have also expressed an interest in Maguire, although their interest seems to have cooled from last week.
Maguire’s contract at Old Trafford runs until 2025, with the option of a further year. With this being the case, he is seemingly in no rush to leave.
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