West Ham have been given a clear sign from Manchester United over hopes of finally signing Harry Maguire in January.
The Hammers have maintained long-standing interest in the England defender — who is out of contract at Manchester United at the end of the season.
West Ham fans often wonder where the club might be now if David Moyes had got his way in the summer of his final season at the club.
Moyes wanted to sign both Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay from Manchester United and West Ham came agonisingly close to doing a double deal.
Maguire contract situation raises new West Ham hope
West Ham actually agreed a £30m deal with Man United to sign Maguire.
The transfer rumbled on for weeks, becoming a protracted saga between the player and Man United’s hierarchy.
In the end the move collapsed because Manchester United refused to pay Maguire severance he was demanding to compensate for the hit he was taking in wages in agreeing to move to the London Stadium.
Rio Ferdinand recently confirmed that was the reason Maguire’s move to West Ham collapsed.
Maguire, who is reportedly on £220k per week at Old Trafford, was looking for the Red Devils to make up the shortfall in wages with West Ham capping his weekly pay at £120k.
While Maguire remained at Man United and McTominay has gone on to do great things with Napoli, it is fair to say West Ham have been in regression ever since.
Maguire spoke out about the West Ham move and said he felt vindicated for staying at Manchester United.
But he has become a bit-part player again under Ruben Amorim and his contract is expiring at the end of the season.
West Ham are desperately in need of a new centre-back and some leadership.
West Ham get emphatic answer on finally signing Maguire
The best the Hammers could manage in the summer window was Igor Julio on loan from Brighton.
With Manchester United desperate for income, Maguire’s contract running down raises the prospect he could be sold for a bargain fee in the winter window.
Now West Ham have received an emphatic answer on finally signing Man United’s Maguire in January.
Maguire has made just three starts for Man United this season to add to the 26 last term.
Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and even Luke Shaw are ahead of the 32-year-old.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been counting the pennies since the partial takeover of Man United and making a number of cutbacks.
So the possibility of raising some cash by offloading Maguire in January would undoubtedly appeal.
Now Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update on Maguire’s situation.
And it will finally bring an end to the West Ham and Maguire saga.
West Ham’s Maguire saga finally over as new deal talks held
Because Romano has, somewhat out of the blue, claimed that Maguire is set to sign a new contract at Man United.
The transfer reporter says Manchester United are in talks with the longstanding Hammers target over a new deal with his existing contract due to expire in June.
A face-to-face meeting took place between the Red Devils and Maguire’s camp this week and more will follow to discuss the terms and conditions of the contract.
Romano says Man United are happy with Maguire’s contribution and leadership.
Maguire would have been perfect for West Ham in a Nuno Espirito Santo side.
How they could do with his leadership and bravery at the back as the Hammers look to pull away from the relegation zone.
But it seems Nuno will have to look elsewhere for a new centre-back.
That should not be too taxing given West Ham now have super agent Jorge Mendes helping with transfers behind the scenes.
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