Manchester United Sets Sights on £50 Million English Talent as Replacement for Harry Maguire
In the quest to fill the void left by Harry Maguire, Manchester United is eyeing Crystal Palace standout Marc Guehi as a potential top target for their central defense.
After prolonged speculation, it appears that Harry Maguire’s departure from Manchester United is finally materializing. According to BBC Sport, Maguire has agreed to a £30 million deal with West Ham United.
Maguire’s eagerness to join West Ham is evident, and while there are details to be finalized, there are no anticipated hurdles in terms of personal terms.
The 30-year-old relinquished his captaincy at United this summer, signaling an inevitable end to his tenure.
Although the departure of Maguire is welcomed by Erik ten Hag and his team, they now face the challenge of securing a suitable replacement in defense.
Manchester United has expressed interest in Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace center-back. The latest report from the Daily Mail reveals that Guehi is one of four players being considered to fill Maguire’s position. However, Palace’s significant asking price might hinder United’s pursuit of Guehi.
As reported by the London Evening Standard, Chelsea was also pursuing Guehi’s return when Palace demanded a £50 million fee for him.
This pursuit poses a challenge for Manchester United, as the price tag is likely to escalate as the transfer deadline approaches.
Guehi, who joined Palace from Chelsea in the summer of 2021, has impressed during his two seasons at the club. The 23-year-old is already a part of the England national team setup, making him an enticing prospect. While the allure of moving to United is strong, Palace isn’t actively seeking to offload him.
Other Defensive Targets for United
The Daily Mail also lists Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen, and Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice as potential targets.
Both Tapsoba and Guehi could come with hefty price tags surpassing what United is gaining from Maguire’s sale. These players have substantial time left on their contracts, and their respective clubs aren’t eager to part with them.
Among these options, Todibo might emerge as Manchester United’s most probable signing. The Frenchman, previously compared to Raphael Varane, has rejuvenated his career at Nice following a challenging stint with Barcelona. Despite the significant step up to United, Todibo is determined to establish himself at a European powerhouse.
Though Pavard is in the final year of his Bayern deal, his versatility to play as both a left-back and a center-back could make him a valuable addition. The possibility of securing him for a reduced fee before he becomes a free agent could be appealing.
Given Manchester United’s active summer, the potential for another significant signing cannot be ruled out.