Harry Maguire to West Ham for £30 million, a loss for Manchester United

Posted : 10 August 2023

Harry Maguire seems poised to make a move to West Ham, with the London club reportedly willing to pay £30 million for the defender, marking a substantial loss for Manchester United, who acquired him for £80 million four years ago. Reports suggest that Maguire is inclined to accept West Ham's offer, especially considering the team's recent success in winning the Conference League last season. This potential transfer comes as Manchester United faces the prospect of parting ways with their former captain.

Maguire's journey began when he was purchased from Leicester City by Manchester United in the summer of 2019. Ranking third in the club's list of most expensive acquisitions, he falls behind only Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial. He held the distinction of being the most expensive defender in history until Josko Gvardiol's move to Manchester City for €95 million (£82 million) recently pushed Maguire's transfer down to second place.

Initially, high hopes were vested in Maguire at Old Trafford due to his impressive performances at Leicester and with the England national team. He was even appointed captain. However, his time at Manchester United has been marked by disappointment and inconsistency, contributing to the team's lackluster showings in recent years. His errors often led to goals and losses for the team. Moreover, he faced controversies that eroded trust in him. Last season, the club took the decision to remove him from the captaincy.

Over the years, criticism towards Maguire, both from the media and Manchester United fans, has escalated, becoming increasingly harsh. Now, the potential sale to West Ham looms, indicating a considerable loss for Manchester United, with the discrepancy between the original purchase price four years ago and the expected West Ham offer surpassing the fee West Ham is willing to pay (50 million vs. 30 million).

Erik ten Hag's squad is not standing idle, actively preparing for Maguire's potential departure. They have compiled a list of possible replacements, headlined by Benjamin Favre, who currently plays for German champions Bayern Munich. Favre is a member of the French national team, a World Cup winner in 2018, and boasts numerous titles with Bayern, including the 2019/20 Champions League triumph.

In the event that Favre doesn't materialize as an option, Manchester United is considering Edmund Tapasova, who has been a fixture at Bayer Leverkusen for the past three years. Manchester United expressed interest in the Burkina Faso defender two years ago, and now he emerges as a candidate to fortify Erik ten Hag's defensive line. Additional prospects on the radar include Jean-Claire Todibo from Nice and Marc Gueye from Crystal Palace.

Harry Maguire to West Ham for £30 million, a loss for Manchester United

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