WEST HAM’S bid for centre-half Harry Maguire is stalling over personal terms.
So the Hammers are hurriedly turning instead to Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou — lining up a £30million swoop.
Manchester United have accepted a £30m bid for England star Maguire but they would have to part-fund his wages.
Ivorian Kossounou, 22, has come up as the major alternative, with West Ham sporting director Tim Steidten knowing him from his time at the German club.
Leverkusen may even be open to a loan deal with a guaranteed buy later.
Maguire is in contention to face Wolves in United’s Premier League opener on Monday night.
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Maguire, 30, was dropped early on last season by boss Erik ten Hag and went on to start just eight Prem matches.
Earlier this summer it was confirmed that Ten Hag had stripped the England defender of the captaincy at Old Trafford, with Bruno Fernandes taking his place.
United have agreed a deal to let Maguire join West Ham, but it is now up to the experienced centre-back himself.
Quizzed if his former skipper is available for Monday night’s match, Ten Hag said: “Of course.”
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Maguire has fallen behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and at times even Luke Shaw in the pecking order at United.
But he could yet opt to stay and fight for his place.
With Euro 2024 looming next summer, however, Maguire may decide that regular first team football is important if he is to keep his Three Lions place.
Maguire has two years remaining on his £190,000-a-week contract at United.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
