There is a very obvious reason why Man United outcast Harry Maguire won’t be signing for West Ham anytime soon.
With Craig Dawson set to leave, ageing Angelo Ogbonna likely in his final season, Thilo Kehrer error-prone and both Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma injury prone, West Ham are in need of a new centre-back in the January window.
With a disastrous relegation now a very real threat, West Ham must do all they can this month to give themselves the best hope of survival.
That, according to a report from The Mirror yesterday, has led the Hammers to Manchester United outcast Harry Maguire.
The Mirror has claimed that West Ham are considering a swoop to sign the 29-year-old centre-back on loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy from Man United.
West Ham fans were enthused at the prospect of signing the England star, who has endured a torrid time at Old Trafford in recent seasons.
But it seems clear the rumour can very much be consigned to the January transfer window rubbish bin.
Because there is an obvious reason why Maguire won’t be signing for West Ham anytime soon.
West Ham were actually linked with Maguire when he was playing for Hull City but opted against a move.
Maguire went on to sign for Leicester before Manchester United paid the Foxes £80million for him back in 2019.
The supposed West Ham target signed a six-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of a further year in a deal that involved a world-record fee for a defender.
West Ham are a massive club who pay big wages. But even the Hammers cannot make a case to be able to cover Maguire’s salary.
According to Spotrac, Maguire picks up a staggering £189k per week at Man United. That’s a cool £9.8m per year.
Maguire is under contract at Man United until at least 2025 – possibly 2026 if Man United take out the extra year’s option.
That means West Ham would not only have to cover off around £4m in wages – on top of an expected loan fee – if they were to sign Maguire for the rest of the season.
But the Hammers would also have to commit to nearly £30m in wages alone – on top of what would likely be a sizeable transfer fee – if they had any chance of luring the defender away from his lucrative Red Devils deal in a permanent summer move.
The only way any deal could be done this month is if Man United subsidise a large chunk of Maguire’s wages. But there would surely be plenty in the queue if it was known the Old Trafford club were willing to do that.
There are four words to describe this new rumour – never going to happen.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
David Sullivan warned off appointing managerial target by old foe.
Brazilian tells Moyes he wants in and what he can bring to West Ham.
Major new claim made about West Ham move for Pochettino and Tuchel.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
