Man Utd close to finalising TWO deals as Maguire nears West Ham

Updated: 9 Aug 2023 11:13 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag insulted Harry Maguire with a "captain" comment — © ProShots

Eric Bailly and Harry Maguire are edging closer to a Manchester United exit, according to reports.

The latter was recently stripped of the Red Devils captaincy and has been linked with a departure for months. Head coach Erik ten Hag has never been fully convinced by him and if Maguire wants to remain a regular for England, he will have to leave his lucrative United contract behind and sign for a club where he can actually play.

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This club appears to be West Ham after all. Though United initially rejected the Hammers' approach for a double swoop of Maguire and midfielder Scott McTominay, the former is now nearing a move to London. Sky Sports report that the two clubs have reached an agreement in principle over a £30 million transfer.

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This will make signing both Maguire and McTominay a pricey affair seeing as though United recently rejected a £30m offer for the Scot. West Ham could end up paying as much as £70m for the two Man Utd outcasts.

Bailly spurns Ronaldo reunion

Maguire isn't the only defender close to departing Old Trafford. Eric Bailly is reportedly on the verge of joining Turkish side Besiktas after it emerged on Tuesday night (August 8) that Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr were in talks with the Ivorian.

Bailly's time at United has, for the most part, been an unmitigated disaster, in part caused by frequent injury struggles. He spent last season on loan at Marseille, but they decided against making the deal permanent.

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During his time in France, Bailly was banned for several games after kicking a lower-league player in the chest during a cup match.

Turkish outlet Sports Digitale claims that he has agreed terms on a three-year deal with the transfer to be finalised today. It should become official in a few days.