Harry Maguire move to West Ham
Harry Maguire has a chance to rejuvenate his career with his planned move to West Ham United. The player was tipped to be the next big thing when he made his switch from Leicester City to Manchester United less than five years ago. The huge price tag of £80m would always feel weighty, but with his form good and helping take England to the World Cup semi-final in 2018, he was destined for a long future with the Red Devils.
Loss of form
The indifferent form of the team, which saw them make three managerial changes, led to a dip in form and eventually losing his place in the starting line-up. Despite being made club captain, and still impressing for his country at tournament level, Maguire was often the scapegoat when things went wrong in the United defence whenever he did get an opportunity to play.
Most recently, he had new United goalkeeper Andre Onana berate him for a conceded goal while on the pre-season tour. It was a sad end to his career at Old Trafford, as he was then stripped of the captaincy, which was the final nail in his time at the club. Despite United boss, Erik ten Hag suggesting he still had a future with them.
Cashing in
With it known that he was out of sorts and needing first-team football, some interest started to come in. West Ham have been awfully quiet in the summer transfer market, despite receiving the sum of £100m for midfielder Declan Rice when they sold him to London rivals Arsenal.
Manager David Moyes, often vilified by the club’s fans, was now eager to spend some of that money and saw Maguire as the perfect choice to come in and shore up a sometimes leaky backline. An initial offer of £20m was rejected, but an improved bid came in of £30m, and the Hammers have a deal in principle. Harry Maguire will have a chance to settle in and work hard to regain the form that made him the world’s most expensive defender just a few years ago.