'Sign him': Joe Cole says he directly told David Sullivan to sign £80m player for West Ham, he didn't listen
Today at 12:15 PM
West Ham United have had their fair share of transfer near misses over the years.
West Ham nearly signed Darren Fletcher during the Sam Allardyce era, while West Ham were offered Raheem Sterling over the summer.
Speaking on The Dressing Room, Joe Cole has now shared an interesting story of how he told West Ham to sign an £80m player before he ever got his big move.
Indeed, according to Cole, he directly told David Sullivan years ago to sign Harry Maguire when he was at Hull City.
However, Sullivan wasn't sold on the idea and Maguire would eventually join Leicester before heading to Manchester United for £80m.
Joe Cole told West Ham to sign Harry Maguire
Cole shared the story of how he told West Ham to sign Maguire.
The pundit says he watched Hull City face West Ham in the Director's Box at the stadium, and he told Sullivan that Maguire was the player he needed to sign.
Unfortunately, Sullivan didn't listen, and Maguire has since gone on to become the most expensive defender of all-time.
"If Harry Maguire's career finishes now, tomorrow, people look at him and go 'he's been outstanding for England.' He's a very good player, but he's not Rio or JT,' Cole said.
"I remember sitting with David Sullivan actually, when Harry Maguire was at Hull before Leicester and he was coming out with the ball and driving forwards. I remember saying 'you should sign him.' And he was like 'I'm not sure.' He went to Leicester and then Manchester United."
West Ham eventually went for Harry Maguire
West Ham ignored Cole's pleas to sign Maguire all those years ago, and that story is even more ironic now.
Indeed, West Ham bid for Maguire last summer as they looked to revamp their defence.
West Ham could've had Maguire for a bargain fee years ago before he became a big name, but, instead, they ended up failing with a big-money bid last year.
Maguire is now set to stay at Manchester United after his contract was extended, while West Ham continue to have their own defensive issues.
Mark Noble and Tim Steidten are the two men in charge of transfers at West Ham right now, but perhaps the Hammers should put a call into Joe Cole as his ability to spot talent is clearly there.
If Sullivan had listened to Cole all those years ago, West Ham would have stood to have made a serious profit on Maguire.
