West Ham have a bid rejected for Scott McTominay- Should they return with a higher bid?

West Ham United reportedly have had a £30m bid for Scott McTominay rejected by Manchester United.

The Hammers are the only Premier League club yet to make a signing so far this transfer window, but they are seemingly stepping up their efforts as the new season looms large. They have agreed a fee with Ajax for midfielder Edson Alvarez, as David Moyes looks to strengthen a midfield which has been weakened by the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

According to The Athletic, West Ham have seen a £60m combined offer for Manchester United pair Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire rejected, stating that they value the Scottish midfielder between £40m and £45m.

McTominay, 26, fell down the midfield pecking order last season following the arrivals of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, starting just 10 Premier League games. And with Man United signing Mason Mount from Chelsea earlier this summer, the Scotland international’s first-team prospects have only become slimmer.

The report adds Erik ten Hag would ideally like to keep McTominay, but is willing to sanction a sale if the offer is too good to turn down, with the Red Devils needing to balance the books after bringing in Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.

Scott McTominay to West Ham—Should the Hammers up their bid?

Last weekend’s 4-0 friendly defeat to Bayer Leverkusen has accentuated West Ham’s chronic problems in different areas of the squad, thus, bringing greater momentum behind their recruitment drive. The Hammers have swiftly reacted to their drubbing at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen and agreed a fee with Ajax for midfielder Edson Alvarez, but they need a lot more quality in the middle of the park in order to avoid another relegation battle.

Manchester United’s Scott McTominay is hugely admired by David Moyes. Having progressed through the academy ranks at Man United, McTominay has gone on to make 209 senior appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals and registering five assists. However, a combination of injury problems and the arrivals of Eriksen and Casemiro saw him manage only 16 starts in 39 games across all competitions last term.

At 26, the Scottish midfielder would want to play regularly and, given the options Ten Hag currently has at his disposal, it looks unlikely. So, leaving Old Trafford appears to be the best option and a move to West Ham makes complete sense.

He would improve West Ham’s midfield unit, potentially forming a strong trio with Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta in the engine room, whilst enjoying regular opportunities to play under Moyes. The 26-year-old is a proven Premier League commodity and will perhaps give his best years of service to the Hammers.

Thus, considering McTominay’s qualities on and off the ball and experience at the highest level, West Ham must definitely return with an improved offer to sign him from Man United.