By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

17th Oct, 2023 | 6:57am

Sources: West Ham in pole position to sign Harry Maguire

West Ham are set to be at the front of the queue for Man United defender Harry Maguire if he decides to leave Old Trafford in January, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Monday (16 October) that Irons boss David Moyes remains keen to sign a new centre-back as the January window approaches.

It is believed a deal for Maguire will be hard to do in the winter window despite renewed speculation over his Man United future.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the England international is happy to stay at Old Trafford despite his lack of regular first-team football.

Any deal in January would be a likely initial loan move, sources say, with a potential buy option.

It is believed West Ham can’t afford another big-money deal as well as taking on his wages of nearly £200,000-a-week.

The London club were heavily linked with a move for Maguire during the summer window, but a deal failed to materialise with the player unwilling to leave Man United. Extensive talks took place over a deal.

He has made just four appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side so far this season.

The 30-year-old played 90 minutes in his last outing – a 2-1 home win over Brentford on 7 October.

Maguire, who cost a reported £80million in 2019, was stripped of the Man United captaincy by Ten Hag earlier this summer.

The defender has started just 17 times since the Dutchman’s arrival last summer (2022) and is clearly unfancied by the ex-Ajax coach.

His contract at Old Trafford is set to run until June 2025.

In other news, door opens for West Ham to sign midfielder as January price revealed.