Harry Maguire’s almost-done transfer to Premier League side West Ham United has crashed unexpectedly as the player is still making up his mind on which club to join. In a surprising turn of events, Spanish giants Real Madrid has also joined the conversation as they lost Eder Militao to a long-term injury and might be in the market for a center back.
The England defender had initially agreed to personal terms with West Ham United. The Hammers were also keen on signing him. However, Maguire has asked United to pay a $9 million payoff to leave, and that has delayed the transfer. The other factor that is adding to the delay is the fact that Maguire is not convinced about West Ham. The player is taking too much time to make up his mind.
Harry Maguire’s $38M move to West Ham is currently off as the club is getting tired of waiting for him to agree to his exit from Manchester United, reports @JacobSteinberg 🙃 pic.twitter.com/Rq1cHduaay
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 15, 2023
Maguire has struggled at Manchester United, and most fans want him to leave the club. So the news of his failed transfer wont be received well by the United faithful. The England international joined Manchester United in 2019 on world record transfer fee for a center-back in soccer. Even though it’s been three years, he has failed to live up to the hype.
What Went Wrong for Maguire at United?
A year into his contract, former coach Ole Gunnar handed him the captain’s armband. The decision was received with a lot of heat from fans and they wanted him to step down. One year later, when new manager Erik Ten Hag arrived and signed his preferred center back Lisandro Martinez. Maguire fell below the pecking order. Lisandro was partnering Raphael Varane in the heart of the defense, and Victor Lindelof was the first choice from the bench.
Things got from bad to worse for Maguire when he was dropped from captaincy by Erik Ten Hag just ahead of the new Premier League season. Bruno Fernandes was appointed as the new captain, and it sparked rumors that Harry Maguire will look for opportunities elsewhere.
A few weeks later it was reported that Maguire had agreed to join West Ham, and was waiting for the clubs to negotiate. Maguire demanded as much as $9 million to leave Old Trafford. The club’s qualification for the Champions League at the end of last season triggered a pay increase in his current contract. The time taken by Maguire and his entourage to complete the deal has made West Ham look for alternatives.
Harry Maguire Expects to Join Real Madrid
After injuries to Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid were back in the transfer market for replacements. The club signed Kepa Arrizabalaga as a straight replacement for Courtois, but a substitute for Eder is still left.
🚨🚨🌕| BREAKING: Harry Maguire expects Real Madrid to contact him in the coming days to replace the injured Éder Militão. [@relevo] pic.twitter.com/tgzue0L388
— centredeviIs (parody) (@centrdevils) August 15, 2023
Los Blancos have center-backs Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez in the squad to partner David Alaba, but playing a long season with three central defenders will be difficult. Carlo Ancelloti who has always had great squad depth is looking to add a central defender to their ranks. One name being linked to the club is the former Manchester United captain, Harry Maguire.
🤳 @Kepa_46: “Hola #Madridistas, ya estoy aquí. ¡Espero veros muy pronto en el Bernabéu!”#WelcomeKepa pic.twitter.com/6bLOWaBPUH
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 15, 2023
Eder Militao has been one of the best defenders in the world, and it will be an uphill task for anyone to replace him. Maguire on the other hand, if he joins Real Madrid, will be the second Englishman they would have signed in the summer.