Manchester United REJECT £20m offer for Harry Maguire from West Ham, with Erik ten Hag readying new offer for Rasmus Hojlund

Manchester United have rejected a £20million bid from West Ham for Harry Maguire and held further talks over Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.

United are not forcing Maguire out as he wants to stay and fight for his place so West Ham may now consider other options after having a loan request rejected earlier in the month.

Maguire, who is valued closer to £35m, would have to stake a substantial cut in his salary also to make the move to West Ham happen.

David Moyes has been keen to sign Maguire and Scott McTominay but West Ham feel United’s valuations are too high.

Maguire is in a fight with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof for a place in Erik ten Hag’s team as one of the two starting centre backs. 

Hammers boss David Moyes is in the market after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m

West Ham boss Moyes has a keen eye on Manchester United this summer, with the Scot also keen on Scott McTominay as a replacement for Rice. 

However, it’s understood that United would demand between £40-50m for McTominay.

The Scot still has two years left on his contract, with the option to extend by another year. United are not actively looking to sell the 26-year-old midfielder. 

There are hopes at United that Maguire, who joined in 2019 for £80m, can bounce back with the burden of responsibility of the captaincy taken away from him. 

Discussing his decision to take the captaincy off Maguire, Ten Hag said: ‘I think everyone can understand that for a player it’s a disappointment but it can work out very good for the team and for Harry.

Erik ten Hag believes Maguire will benefit from being stripped of the Man United captaincy

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay (above) has emerged as a target for West Ham

‘He’s an important player. We need four centre backs minimum. You have seen last season we played so many games and we are really pleased to have Harry in our squad.

‘We need more than 11 players. We need that competition so he can fight himself in the team.

‘He has potential and it’s up to him to get his position. Now we can focus more on his role. 

‘A centre back has to communicate and organise. It’s a big area where you have to perform as a centre half, there is prevention that you have to come into action.’

Meanwhile, United spoke to Atalanta again on Friday and will improve their opening £51m bid for striker Rasmus Hojlund with a formal offer expected on Saturday.

Galatasaray are continuing to push to sign United midfielder Fred, while Nottingham Forest remain in talks over a loan to buy deal for Dean Henderson. 

Discussions are centred on the number of games it would take for a purchase to be activated with Forest keen to make it after 30 games and United around five.

An improved formal offer is expected from United for Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund on Saturday