England international Harry Maguire is requesting a £15 million pay-off from Manchester United to join West Ham.
The Red Devils’ board initially thought they had finalized the transfer of Maguire, after reaching an agreement of £30 million with West Ham United.
Manchester United had also proposed to hand the Englishman a £6 million payment package to depart Old Trafford.
However, it appears like Harry Maguire isn’t ready to leave Manchester United due to several factors that border on finance, which is stalling the transfer.
Maguire joined the Red Devils on August 5, 2019, from Leicester City for a transfer fee of €87 million.
He has made 175 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists across all competitions.
The 30-year-old had limited game time last season and he is seemingly not in the plans of Erik Ten Hag for the new season.
Why is Harry Maguire move to West Ham United stalling?
Harry Maguire has fallen down the pecking order to being a 5th choice center-back at Old Trafford, as manager Ten Hag prefers Martinez, Varane, Lindelof, and Shaw above him.
He was also stripped of the captaincy this summer, as teammate Bruno Fernandes was chosen as the new captain.
These happenings have reportedly angered Maguire and he is demanding an amount above £12 million, to depart Manchester United.
The former Hull City defender would have to go through a pay cut, which would see his wages slashed from £190,000 weekly to £120,000.
This amount would indicate a £14.5 million deficit over four years, which is presumably the length of his proposed contract at West Ham United.
Harry Maguire’s contract with Manchester United expires on June 30, 2025, having signed a six-year deal with the club in 2019.
The timeframe at which his contract will elapse at Old Trafford is two years and that would see him earn about £19.7 million.
Due to this, Maguire is hesitant over a summer move as he does not see the £6 million offer good enough to ensure his departure.
Erik Ten Hag says Maguire must fight for his place at Manchester United
However, before Manchester United’s first Premier League game of the 2023/24 season against Wolves, Erik Ten Hag challenged Harry Maguire to fight for his place in the team.
The Dutchman said: “For Harry, that is just how I described it. He has to fight for his place.”
Ten Hag expressed that the 30-year-old can be a top-class defender and he is the best defender for Gareth Southgate’s England.
The former Ajax boss insisted that he is happy with Maguire, despite the English defender starting only 8 Premier League games last season.
He said: “When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go, then he has to make a decision but I’m happy with him.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United started the 2023/24 season on a good note, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers by 1-0.
Rafael Varane scored the game’s decisive goal in the 76th minute, to give Erik Ten Hag’s side the victory.
Despite an underwhelming performance from the Red Devils, they did enough to secure the three points.
