Man Utd demand more than £30m for England star amid ‘growing tension’ in transfer pursuit

Manchester United are holding out for a fee of more than £30m before they will consider selling Harry Maguire, according to reports.

The Red Devil are keen to move the centre-back on this summer, and hope to use the funds generated to strengthen the squad in the transfer market. After two disappointing seasons at Old Trafford, United feel the time has come for Maguire to depart, with Chelsea and West Ham United among the clubs interested in signing the England regular.

The latter have already seen a £20m bid rejected for Maguire, with the Independent reporting David Moyes is ‘intent’ on signing the ex-Leicester City defender. In fact, there is said to be ‘growing tension’ at the Hammers given Moyes' frustration that the club have not pushed more vociferously to complete a deal.

West Ham have the £105m earned from Declan Rice’s departure which Moyes wants to reinvest into the squad, and it will take an offer ‘north of £30m’ to bring Maguire to the London Stadium, the Independent add, with the former United boss also keen on recruiting Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse. West Ham are the only top-flight side yet to sign anyone this summer, and last week saw an offer for Manchester City’s Carlos Borges accepted, only for Ajax to hijack the transfer.

As for Maguire, he is expected to play a back-up role for United this season, if he remains at Old Trafford. The 30-year-old started just eight league games last term and had the captaincy taken off him in July, as his standing with the Red Devils continues to drop.