Julian Warren breaks ‘big’ West Ham United transfer news live on Sky Sports

West Ham have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire as the move is now off, according to Julian Warren.

The Sky Sports journalist reported on 15 August that the England centre-back will not be leaving Old Trafford for the Hammers after they have spent most of the summer trying to sign him.

He said it is thought the deal for the 30-year-old has been called off because the Red Devils believe there isn’t enough time left in the transfer window to bring in a replacement.

“Some big transfer news that is just reaching us and it regards Harry Maguire,” said Warren. “News just in, his potential move to West Ham is off – he will not be leaving Manchester United for West Ham.

“It’s thought that a departure pretty late in the window now could have left Manchester United little time to bring in a replacement.”

This news will come as an absolute hammer blow to David Moyes as he has identified Maguire as one of his main targets for much of the transfer window.

Although West Ham aren’t desperate for defensive reinforcements, the opportunity to bring in a player of the centre-back’s calibre and experience was one he didn’t want to pass up on.

It has been appearing to look more unlikely by the day that the England defender wouldn’t make the move to East London, though, as it has dragged on for a number of weeks.

The Hammers believed they were close to landing a deal for Maguire after they agreed a fee with Man United worth a reported £30million on 11 August.

It’s now time for the club to decide whether or not we need a new centre-back or if it’s best to try and spend the money on improving other areas of the squad as the transfer window is set to close in just over two weeks.