WEST HAM are confident Harry Maguire wants to move to West Ham this summer.
However, the Hammers remain in positive talks with Manchester United over a suitable fee – as well as an agreement over the payment terms of the player’s £190k-a-week wages.
Monday night saw West Ham make a huge move in the transfer market, submitting a joint £60m bid for Maguire, 30, and Scott McTominay, 26.
The £30m offer for McTominay was rejected out of hand, with United demanding £45m, yet the Red Devils are still considering the £30m bid for Maguire, which is near their valuation of £35m.
SunSport understands that Maguire has spoken with West Ham boss David Moyes on several occasions over the phone in the past few days.
Moyes – who is still looking to make his first signing of the summer – has been selling the idea of West Ham to Maguire, who he views as a future captain of the club.
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Maguire is desperate for regular first team football ahead of next summer’s Euros with England, and would get that at West Ham having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
United manager Erik ten Hag recently stripped Maguire of the captaincy, and despite wanting him to be part of his squad, will allow him to leave for the right price.
A wage rise for Maguire was activated at the end of last season following United’s top four finish, seeing him earn close to £200k-a-week.
West Ham would not be expected to pay that in full, with United potentially bridging the gap due to the amount still owed to him on his contract that still has two years left, with the option of a further year.
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Moyes is desperate to get Maguire over the line. The Scot is targeting British players to bolster his squad, as well as needing cover at centre back for injury-hit Kurt Zouma.
But West Ham have been slow out of the blocks this summer, with tension between Moyes and new technical director Tim Steidten evident in their recruitment process so far.
Bids for Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher have been turned down, with West Ham struggling to put the £105m from Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal to good use.
However, this week could see that change. Ajax midfielder and Mexico international Edson Alvarez is expected to sign for £35m on a five-year deal after landing in London to undergo his medical today.
West Ham want another midfielder. They are unlikely to hit the valuation for McTominay, but could still go back in for Saints skipper Ward-Prowse with an offer closer to £40m after their previous attempt of £30m was rejected.
A striker is also on Moyes’ wish list after Gianluca Scamacca’s £27m departure to Atalanta – despite spending just over 12 months in East London.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
