- West Ham signed Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse for a combined £60 million.
- Maguire faced challenges at Manchester United and lost his captaincy before moving to West Ham.
- Southampton’s Ward-Prowse is likely to transfer to West Ham despite initial resistance.
In a stunning turn of events, West Ham United has reportedly secured deals for two Premier League stars, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, in a combined transaction estimated at £60 million.
Sources suggest that each individual deal hovers around the £30 million mark, showcasing West Ham’s determination to strengthen their squad significantly.
Maguire, a seasoned player at 30, faced challenges in securing consistent first-team opportunities at Old Trafford last season and has faced further setbacks with his captaincy being stripped away. Although the personal terms are yet to be finalized, Maguire is eager for the move, and hurdles are not anticipated in reaching an agreement.
This potential transfer marks a significant shift for Maguire, who initially joined Manchester United for a record-breaking £80 million in August 2019, setting a world record for the highest defender transfer fee.
The pursuit of Ward-Prowse has been a saga throughout the summer, with West Ham’s attempts to sign the Southampton midfielder initially met with resistance. Despite Southampton’s relegation to the Championship last season, they held firm against West Ham’s advances.
However, recent developments indicate that a departure for Ward-Prowse is now almost inevitable.
West Ham have agreed a £30m fee with Southampton to sign James Ward-Prowse, as @JacobSteinberg called. JWP has been top of David Moyes' wish list. Fee right at top-end of what club prepared to pay.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 9, 2023
Harry Maguire also expected to be sealed this week for a similar amount.⚒️ pic.twitter.com/Yi81XDWX0Y
West Ham’s motivation to bolster their lineup grew stronger following the departure of England midfielder Declan Rice to Arsenal for a staggering £105 million, along with the sale of Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta for £21.5 million.
The strategic moves align with the vision of Hammers’ manager David Moyes, who is reportedly nearing the acquisition of Ajax’s Edson Alvarez as a replacement for Rice. Additionally, Moyes has been linked with a potential move for Manchester United’s Scott McTominay.
Maguire’s role at United came under scrutiny as he made 30 appearances last season, with a mere eight league starts to his name. He found himself lower down the pecking order among central defenders, trailing behind the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Rafael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw.
The decision to strip Maguire of his captaincy prompted comments from United’s manager Erik ten Hag, who emphasized Maguire’s significance to the team and his potential to reclaim a place in the starting lineup. However, the pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund saw Maguire facing criticism from fans and a heated exchange with new goalkeeper Andre Onana.
As West Ham United ventures into this ambitious double deal, the football world waits with bated breath to witness the impact of these acquisitions on the Premier League landscape.
Despite encountering challenges during his time at Manchester United, Maguire has consistently represented England under the guidance of Gareth Southgate, commencing all five matches at the 2022 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Ward-Prowse initiated Southampton’s Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday last Friday; however, he was absent from their Carabao Cup first-round loss to Gillingham on Tuesday.
