Mark Warburton says he is ‘very shocked’ to hear that West Ham United won’t be signing Harry Maguire this summer amid claims that he will stay at Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
The former West Ham United coach, who left this summer, added that ‘David Moyes admires’ the England international and there is ‘no secret’ that he wants to add ‘Premier League experience’ to the club’s ranks this summer.
Someone like Harry Maguire, at the age of 30, ticks those boxes, and Warburton thinks he would have been an ‘asset’ to the team, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports News (15/08/23 at 7:05 pm).
Whilst Maguire has got a lot of stick for his performances over the years, which has seen him become ridiculed on social media, you could see him suiting Moyes’ system.
The Europa Conference League-winning coach isn’t someone who plays an aggressive highline, but remains compact and deep in his shape.
That would have suited Maguire’s game because he would have been protected more, but as Warburton was told, that deal won’t happen now.
“Absolutely (Magure would have been an asset to West Ham),” said Warburton. “I think David Moyes is a known admirer of Harry Maguire.
“He made no secret to the fact that he wanted to add Premier League experience and maturity to the spine of the team, so Ward-Prowse coming in etc… Even with Alvarez, another good purchase.
“So, I am sure Maguire would have been a great addition to the ranks. I am somewhat surprised (that a deal might not happen now). You would have thought the process was further down the line. Somewhere money has to change hands to make sure everyone is comfortable.
“But, right now, I am very shocked that this hasn’t gone ahead.”
Big call from Maguire
Yes, a few weeks still remain before the 2023 summer transfer window slams shut and Maguire can still move, but if he wanted to go now, then surely he would have forced a move.
It needs to be remembered that he is the fourth choice at Man United and he is playing a risky game by not pushing for that transfer this summer.
Not only will it annoy his own fans, who already give him a hard time as it is, but he might find that his minutes are reduced and, as a result, he remains on the bench, which then results in him losing his England place.
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