Scott McTominay would bring athleticism and aggression to West Ham’s midfield and signing Harry Maguire could see David Moyes switch to a back three: How the Man United pair could fit in at London Stadium
TransferRoom, the online marketplace used by more than 700 clubs worldwide to arrange signings, saw West Ham advertise their needs recently.
They listed seven positions – left-back, centre-back, defensive midfielder, central midfielder, striker, winger and No 10. Edson Alvarez is set to occupy one of those slots – his £35million move from Ajax is close to completion – and Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire could fill two other voids.
Manchester United have already turned down two £30m bids for McTominay and Maguire – they are understood to want £45m for their midfielder and £35m for their defender – but talks are ongoing over a compromise with West Ham.
Manager David Moyes is trying to replace the Declan Rice-sized hole in his midfield. He is losing one of the Premier League’s best interceptors and carriers of the ball and trying to buy that back.
Alvarez and McTominay would be a potent pairing for West Ham. Lucas Paqueta would benefit from the bite they would bring as he looks to continue to sprinkle his creativity.
West Ham have submitted an improved bid of £30m for Manchester United’s Harry Maguire
The Hammers have also bid £30m for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay
Alvarez is a talented midfielder whose statistics show the similarities he shares with Rice. Both men know how to win the ball and carry it forward.
McTominay is an underrated player who has proven himself in the Premier League and would bring athleticism and aggression to the engine room.
West Ham’s moves for those two make sense. As for Maguire, this chase is being led by Moyes and it is enough to make you wonder whether he is interested in shifting from a back four to a back three for the new season. The United man could sit between Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd. If nothing else, it would provide Moyes with the option of switching systems, something he has been keen to do when facing stronger opponents in the past.
When West Ham became the last-remaining Premier League club to sign a player, doom and gloom surrounded the club. You only needed to log on to social media to sense that. If they can get these transfers over the line, however, that disastrous feeling will soon dissipate.
Maguire has had a hard time after a litany of errors but could revive his career in London
West Ham boss David Moyes has seven positions to fill during the transfer window
Yet as West Ham tick off some of the positions they posted on TransferRoom, they need to address their striker situation. That is an absolute must.
Gianluca Scamacca has now left the club, departing for Atalanta after a single season. Michail Antonio may yet follow him out of the door. Danny Ings has been unconvincing since joining in the last January window.
West Ham need a goalscorer, otherwise they will be in trouble. Chelsea’s Armando Broja, Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke are all possibilities, while they have also been linked with an audacious move for Barcelona’s Ansu Fati.
Alvarez will be a good start. McTominay would make it even sweeter, as would Maguire if they can get him at a good price. From there, a striker must become their priority.
