Tottenham Hotspur reportedly emerge as contenders to secure a deal for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly emerged as a potential destination for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.
The Red Devils paid £80m to sign Maguire from Leicester City in 2019, the centre-back subsequently going on to make 174 appearances in all competitions.
However, the England international has been reduced to a fringe member of the first-team squad under Erik ten Hag, effectively becoming fifth choice with Luke Shaw recently preferred over him.
The 30-year-old has been provided with just seven starts and eight substitute outings in the Premier League, while he has been given just 13 minutes of action since United’s 3-0 defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League on April 20.
Maguire still has over two years left on his contract, while United possess the option to activate a 12-month extension to those terms.
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Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that Maguire and United could part ways this summer, providing that compromises can be reached over a transfer fee.
As a result of Maguire’s inconsistent form for his club, United are in a position where they may have to accept half of what they agreed to pay Leicester four years ago.
According to Football Transfers, Spurs are among the clubs who will try to take advantage of the situation.
The North London outfit are without a permanent head coach and can only qualify for the Europa League at best after a poor run of form since the turn of the year.
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That said, it is suggested that Spurs are monitoring the situation, chairman Daniel Levy aware that significant defensive reinforcements are a must with 59 goals being conceded in 36 league matches during 2022-23.
United’s interest in Harry Kane has the potential to complicate the situation with Levy against selling Spurs’ most prized asset to a fierce rival.
West Ham United are also said to be interested in Maguire, although any move may hinge on whether they qualify for the Europa League through winning the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
The report adds that United are currently willing to consider offers of £40m, even though Maguire turned 30 in March and is out of favour.