There seems to be a summer battle brewing between Manchester United and Manchester City, with the duo interested in Leicester City defender Harry Maguire.
According to The Mirror, Harry Maguire is set to be a man in demand in the summer. The Leicester man is on the radar of Manchester United and Manchester City, who are both looking to battle each other in pursuit of the English international when the summer transfer window arrives.
Harry Maguire has taken to the jump in level well, after joining Leicester City from Hull City in July 2017. The player has been a regular fixture under, first Craig Shakespeare and subsequently Claude Puel, with the defender being everpresent, playing each and every minute of the Foxes’ Premier League campaign so far.
His return of 2 goals and 3 assists also show a penchant for being useful on the other end as well, and it is his ball-playing nature that has seen him arrive on the radar of Manchester United and Manchester City. Maguire is also a full-fledged English international – a reward for his form and consistent quality.
At United, Eric Bailly is perhaps the only defender Mourinho seems to completely rely upon, with his partner often being switched. Victor Lindelof was brought in to be the ball-playing defender to partner Eric Bailly in central defence. But, the Swede is yet to establish himself at Manchester United, with Mourinho placing the likes of Smalling and Phil Jones above Lindelof in the pecking order.
Manchester United and City ready for summer tussle for Leicester and England centre back Harry Maguirehttps://t.co/YIdazMvVBU pic.twitter.com/NkL3qAjpTg
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) February 10, 2018
Manchester City on the other hand, seem to already have their pick of players, with John Stones and Aymeric Laporte both able and quality ball-playing defenders. But, Pep Guardiola is often known to have enough options at his disposal so as to not have to compromise on the quality of football, in case either of Stones and Laporte becomes unavailable.
Hence, Maguire is a target for the both halves of Manchester. Leicester know well enough that interest is due to arrive for Maguire in the summer and having brought him in from Hull for around £17 million last summer, they are expected to ask for a fee around the £50 million, almost triple of what they paid to sign him in the first place.
Leicester may justify this by Maguire subsequently becoming a senior international for England and also showing his pedigree and consistency at Leicester.
Mourinho, especially, seems to have become an admirer of the English international’s performances, with the Portuguese likely to not hesitate by the £50 million valuation of Maguire by Leicester. Manchester United might have an advantage of sorts in Maguire’s pursuit, with the botched deadline-day transfer of Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City perhaps, souring the chances of business between Leicester and City.
Whether City are still able to land Maguire remains to be seen. As of now, United seem better positioned to sign Maguire and look like a better option for the Leicester man, with Mourinho, unlike Guardiola, yet to find the central defensive pairing of his choice.
