West Ham ready to offer unwanted Harry Maguire escape route out of Manchester United

End of an era at Man United as Harry Maguire is no longer captain.

FOOTBALL: West Ham ready to offer unwanted Harry Maguire escape route out of Manchester United

Joel Omotto • 16:30 - 16.07.2023

The Hammers are in the market for a defender and the England international is one of the players they're looking at

West Ham are exploring a move for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire following the £105million departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Hammers boss David Moyes is willing to offer Maguire, 30, a lifeline to salvage his career, but the former United captain would need to take a substantial pay cut to fit in with the Hammers' wage structure.

United had sounded out West Ham about taking some of their players in exchange for Rice earlier in the window and Maguire's name was one raised by West Ham, while United also proffered Scott McTominay and Anthony Elanga.

The club, as reported by Mail Sport, are open to offers for up to 13 players this summer as they hope to raise as much as £100m for new signings.

Centre back Maguire set them back a hefty £80m after joining from Leicester in 2019 but will be allowed to leave if a £40m offer is tabled.

It is understood that Maguire, along with the other players potentially up for grabs, will not be forced out and United are happy to let them fight for their places.

Maguire made just eight Premier League starts last season and slipped down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag. Despite this, he remains a regular for England.

Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and even left back Luke Shaw were all typically selected ahead of Maguire in the heart of defence last campaign.

His position as captain also appears untenable, though Ten Hag has quashed speculation a decision over the next skipper will be decided by his squad.

"No, I don't let the dressing room vote," he said. "It is up to me."

Maguire was signed by the Red Devils in 2019 for £80million - still the world-record fee for a defender.

But having started only 16 games last term, as revealed by Mail Sport last month, he is now one of several players up for sale this summer.

Club captain Maguire was also present, arriving in his range rover, as doubt continues over his future with the Red Devils.

United have been in training for over a week now with their first game held last week as they beat Leeds 2-0 in Norway in their opening game of the summer.