Manchester United may have to shell out to get any deal for Harry Maguire over the line, it has been revealed.
The Red Devils have long deemed Maguire surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, and the Englishman was stripped of the captaincy over the summer after managing just eight starts in the Premier League last season.
Now his nightmare under Erikt ten Hag appears to be coming to an end, with West Ham having agreed a £30m deal for the England centre-back, and David Moyes’ side offering him a chance to re-establish his reputation in what will be a crucial 12 months ahead of the 2024 European Championships.
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Personal terms are not expected to be a problem for the two parties, and though Maguire won’t in all likelihood be able to make his debut for his new side on the opening weekend (he would have to be registered by Midday on Friday), he will be in contention for West Ham’s second game of the campaign.
United, however, may have to take a hit. According to the Sun, the Red Devils have agreed to pay £6m to get Maguire off their books, thanks to the Englishman accepting a lower wage package with his new side.
With Maguire’s hefty £200,000 per week wages now no longer on their books, United are expected to push on with more signings, and are chiefly looking at signing his replacement as well as a midfielder this summer.
Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba and OGC Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo are the three names that they have shortlisted to replace the Englishman, with movement expected in the coming days.
United face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night, but will do so without Rasmus Hojlund, who remains injured.