Barcelona reportedly wanted to sign Harry Maguire in the deal to sell Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United, but their attempts were not successful.
According to a report by The Sun, Harry Maguire is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants wanted to snap up the Manchester United captain as part of the Frenkie de Jong deal, but the Red Devils thwarted their attempts.
Harry Maguire joined Manchester United from Leicester City in July 2019, becoming the most expensive defender of all time. The English international has since endured a topsy turvy ride at Old Trafford. The player became the club captain in his first season with Manchester United but has blown hot and cold in the last three years.
The 29-year-old has featured 144 times for Manchester United, chipping in with seven goals and five assists. But his struggles in the 2021/22 season have prompted Manchester United to scour the market for a centre-back while throwing his future up in the air. Maguire’s situation also captured the attention of Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona stems from their ongoing search for a long-term successor to Gerard Pique. The former Manchester United defender is in the twilight of his career, prompting Barcelona to lay down a succession plan for him. At the same time, Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet and Oscar Mingueza face uncertain futures at Camp Nou.
So the Catalan giants need to sign a top-class centre-back in the summer transfer window, bringing Maguire into the picture. According to The Sun, Barcelona tried to include Maguire in the deal to sell Frenkie de Jong, Manchester United’s priority target for the summer transfer window.\
But the Red Devils were not having any of it as Erik ten Hag wants Maguire at his disposal in the 2022/23 season. So while Manchester United might be getting closer to signing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona after submitting an improved offer, Maguire will remain at Old Trafford beyond the summer transfer window.
Also Read: Three potential Frenkie de Jong replacements for Barcelona
But Barcelona will not have a shortage of central defenders to target in the summer transfer window, with Jules Kounde and Kalidou Koulibaly featuring prominently on their wishlist. As for the de Jong deal, it looks like the Barcelona midfielder will soon complete his much-awaited move to Manchester United.