West Ham could move away from Harry Maguire pursuit due to wage demands

Manchester United's English defender Harry Maguire reacts at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 28, 2023. Manchester United wins 2 - 1 against Fulham. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

West Ham are one of the clubs reportedly interested in signing Harry Maguire this summer.

The Manchester United captain lost his place in the team last season after Erik ten Hag’s arrival, and he has only fallen further down the pecking order since then.

Some reports state Maguire is happy to stay at United and fight for his place, however, he isn’t going to come out and say any different while he is under contract.

I’m sure if Maguire was being honest he’d say he wants to get back to playing regular football.

But leaving United will likely mean a lower salary elsewhere.

According to The Telegraph, West Ham could end their pursuit of Harry Maguire because salary negotiations could be a sticking point over a deal.

United are open to selling Maguire because he is surplus to requirements. That said, we usually struggle to sell players and I don’t think Maguire will be any different.

Finding a club to pay his wages in full will be a task for John Murtough as well as the player’s entourage.

Sam Dean and Jason Burt report: “Even so, West Ham have shown interest in United midfielder Scott McTominay, who is on the list of players available for transfer, while manager David Moyes likes Harry Maguire but his wage demands are likely to be too high.”

We will probably get plenty of loan offers from Italy, but when it comes to Maguire we should only consider a permanent offer. Nothing temporary.

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