Manchester United have reportedly turned down a loan offer from West Ham United for centre-back Harry Maguire.
The 30-year-old revealed on Sunday that he will no longer captain the Red Devils after three-and-half-years wearing the armband, and speculation over his future at the club remains rife.
Maguire fell down the pecking order under manager Erik ten Hag last season – the Dutchman's first year in charge at Old Trafford – with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and left-back Luke Shaw all preferred to start in the heart of the defence.
The England international started just eight Premier League games in 2022-23 and it is thought that Man United are open to cashing in on the defender to generate funds for summer targets.
Maguire is said to be considering his options ahead of the new season as he seeks regular first-team football to ensure that he retains his place within Gareth Southgate's England squad ahead of Euro 2024.
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West Ham have recently emerged as a potential destination for Maguire, with former Red Devils boss David Moyes looking to spend the £105m received from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.
According to The Guardian, the Hammers have had a loan offer for Maguire dismissed by Man United, and there is currently some distance between both clubs regarding the defender's valuation.
The report adds that West Ham are exploring a possible loan deal with an option to buy, but the Englishman's current salary – which has increased as a result of Man United's qualification for the Champions League – is considered too high by the Hammers.
While West Ham are aware that Man United expect to make a big loss on Maguire, who cost £80m in 2019, the Hammers are unwilling to commit to such a significant outlay on the 30-year-old.
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Maguire has two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford and has also been linked with other Premier League teams including Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Moyes is said to be keen to recruit a new central defender to provide competition for Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma and 35-year-old Angelo Ogbonna, while there are understood be doubts over the long-term future of Thilo Kehrer who joined the club just 12 months ago.
Reinforcements in centre-midfield are also high on West Ham's radar, and The Guardian reports that they have seen an opening £45m bid for Joao Palhinha turned down by Fulham.
The 27-year-old is believed to be Moyes' top target to replace Rice, but Fulham are demanding £80m for the Portugal international, who moved to Craven Cottage from Sporting Lisbon for just £20m last summer.
Oliver Thomas
