Man Utd's Benjamin Pavard transfer plan stalls after £10m demand comes to light

15 August 2023 , 12:38

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Manchester United's interest in Benjamin Pavard has cooled (Image: Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag is unlikely to sign Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich if Harry Maguire remains a Manchester United player.

Maguire's proposed transfer to West Ham has stalled because United are struggling to agree a pay-off with the Englishman, who has two years left on his contract. He currently earns around £190,000-a-week and the Hammers are unwilling to match that salary. As such, United will need to agree a pay-off with the 30-year-old or continue to pay a chunk of his salary for the move to go ahead. It's believed he could be owed £10m in wages.

Ten Hag is happy for Maguire to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place, which will derail Pavard's proposed transfer. United are thought to have held talks with the France international, 27, but are unable to afford him unless there are outgoings first.

United have accepted a £30million bid from West Ham for Maguire, who is happy to make the switch if his wages are covered. Pavard has entered the final year of his contract and is thought to be available for a figure between £30m and £35m.

Pavard is said to be keen on joining Ten Hag's squad. The World Cup winner reacted to a picture on Instagram of Raphael Varane's winner for United against Wolves on Monday night with the flame emoji, adding to the speculation. There is still hope that Maguire's move to West Ham could be revived. But the Hammers won't wait around for the defender and are looking at other targets.

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There's also a good chance another Premier League club could come in for Maguire, who remains a regular at international level. Yet he will need to play more consistently if he's to make Gareth Southgate's England squad for next summer's Euros in Germany.

Harry Maguire's proposed move to West Ham has stalled (AP)

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Maguire started just eight Premier League games last season and was an unused substitute during the 1-0 victory against Wolves. The centre-back's future at Old Trafford has looked in doubt ever since Ten Hag stripped him of the captaincy earlier this summer.

Ten Hag discussed Maguire's future ahead of the Wolves game. He said: "For Harry, that is just how I described it. He has to fight for his place. He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back and he is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us?

"But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go. Then he has to make a decision, but I’m happy with him."

West Ham manager David Moyes was recently asked about his desire to sign Maguire. The Scot said: "We've had a bid accepted from Manchester United, but while he's not our player I'm not in a position to discuss him really."

Tom Blow