Report: Maguire not joining West Ham, set to fight for Man United place
Harry Maguire's transfer to West Ham United is off despite Manchester United accepting a £30-million bid for the out-of-favor defender last week, The Athletic's David Ornstein reports.
The 30-year-old didn't speak to West Ham manager David Moyes ahead of a potential transfer, nor did he agree to personal terms with the east London club.
Maguire was widely expected to leave Old Trafford after a prolonged spell of poor form culminated with him being stripped of the Manchester United captaincy this summer. However, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag still views the Yorkshireman as an important squad member, and the player is settled at the club, Ornstein adds.
Ten Hag has now invited Maguire to prove his worth in Stretford.
"He has to fight for his place," Ten Hag said ahead of Monday's 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to Ornstein. "He has the ability to be first choice center-back. He is the best for England, so why shouldn't he be the best for us? He has to prove it.
"When he is not confident enough to fight, then he has to make a decision and go."
Maguire is still regarded as the most expensive defender in football history after Manchester United paid Leicester City a reported £80-million fee to sign him ahead of the 2019-20 campaign. Manchester City recruited Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig this summer for around £77 million.
Maguire's United contract expires in June 2025.