West Ham had a £20m bid for Harry Maguire rejected last month but now they are cautiously optimistic about completing the signing from Manchester United; personal terms are not expected to be a problem but there is still work to do on the details of his exit
Friday 11 August 2023 16:02, UK
Manchester United have accepted a bid from West Ham to sign defender Harry Maguire in a deal worth in the region of £30m, Hammers boss David Moyes has confirmed.
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem but there is still work to do on the details of his exit from United.
West Ham, though, are cautiously optimistic about completing the signing having had a £20m bid for the England international rejected last month.
"I wouldn't talk about players at other clubs, but what I can say is yes, we've had a bid accepted from Manchester United," Moyes told his press conference on Friday. "But while he's not my player, I don't think it's my place to discuss him really."
Maguire has trained with Man Utd this week and manager Erik ten Hag has said on Friday he is available for the club's Premier League opener against Wolves on Monday Night Football.
United have done due diligence on several defenders, including Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice, should they be in a position to sign reinforcements at centre-back for Maguire and Eric Bailly, whose representatives have held talks with Al Nassr.
Discussions with Todibo's representatives have taken place to gauge the parameters of a potential deal.
Erik ten Hag told Sky Sports News he wants depth in the squad and competition for places to be able to fight on all fronts.
Sources in Germany are expecting Manchester United to make a move for Benjamin Pavard if Maguire leaves the club.
Manchester United are continuing to do due diligence on a number of defenders and Sky Sports News has been told Pavard has emerged as a strong option.
Bayern Munich have known for a long time that the France international wants to leave. One source says Pavard wants to move to United and negotiations are ongoing.
The right-back, who can also play at centre-back, has one year left on his deal and is expected to cost £30m to £35m. He has previously been linked with Manchester City, Liverpool and Barcelona.
Bayern wanted to replace Pavard with Manchester City's Kyle Walker, but he is staying with the Premier League champions.
After West Ham reached a full agreement with Southampton over the signing of midfielder James Ward-Prowse, the midfielder took part in a medical on Friday as he looks to complete the move.
"We're not denying that James Ward-Prowse is having a medical with us just now," Moyes added.
"I don't think it's right that we talk about players when we haven't actually signed them yet. But the fact of the matter is we've agreed a fee and he's having a medical now."
The deal is worth the £30m that was rejected last month but with more favourable payment terms and conditions for Southampton.
Moyes also confirmed that West Ham have rejected an offer from Manchester City for midfielder Lucas Paqueta, after sources told Sky Sports News that City are prepared to pay £60m.
"We've had an offer from Manchester City, it's not close enough to our valuation to make us think that way," Moyes said. "So at the moment, we have no decision [to make]."
West Ham dismissed an initial approach from City as it was "in no way deemed acceptable", Sky Sports News was also told.
It's thought the Hammers will not even begin to consider selling the Brazil international, who joined last summer on a five-year contract in a club-record £51m deal, for less than £85m.
Paqueta has a buyout clause in his contract but it cannot be triggered until next summer. However, it's understood Paqueta's head has been turned by the interest of the treble winners.
Paqueta scored five goals last season after a slow start in east London, becoming a key part of their Europa Conference League success.
On Monday, Man Utd rejected a £30m bid from West Ham for Scott McTominay. United, who value him at closer to £45m, are happy to keep him, but he's also viewed as the biggest sale they could make this summer.
West Ham are yet to go back in with an improved offer.
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
