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Report: West Ham United set for more talks for Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay

By Abdullah Mamaniyat

Manchester United's English defender Harry Maguire (L) warms up with the other reserves ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 5, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United's English defender Harry Maguire (L) warms up with the other reserves ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 5, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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West Ham United will continue their pursuit of Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay, despite having a combined bid of over £60million rejected last night, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The London club have already approached United for Maguire earlier this summer, having previously had a £20m bid rejected. David Moyes had reportedly been keeping tabs on Scott McTominay too, stepping up their interest with the unsuccessful first bid.

The British pair had found themselves to be used very sparingly in Erik Ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford. The 30 year old defender only made 8 Premier League starts last season as club captain, and this is a particular concern for his international career too. The Scotsman on the other hand did feature more, but started on the bench in 23 of his 39 games in all competitions in 2022/23.

Their chances of regular first team football could be further hampered this season for separate reasons. Maguire has been stripped of his captaincy and replaced by Bruno Fernandes, whilst being established as a third choice at right centre-back by the manager – behind Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof . McTominay finds himself further down the pecking order in midfield after the arrival of Mason Mount and the possible arrival of Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat.

West Ham sold starman Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105million last month, so are looking to fill a huge gap. They are set to make Ajax’s Edson Alvarez, who has previously worked under United boss Erik Ten Hag, their first summer signing. They are set to recruit further and would significantly boost their squad by swooping in for Maguire and McTominay.

United would feel that both Maguire and McTominay have become dispensable as Ten Hag continues to mould his team into his own vision. The Red Devils paid £80m to Leicester City for Maguire’s services a few years ago and will likely command a fee of around half of that. They have reportedly valued McTominay at around £45m-£50m so it would be surprising for the current bid to be accepted. Should West Ham return with an improved bid of around £80million, United would likely cut ties with both players.