Could Harry Maguire be on the move away from Manchester United this summer? We look at some of the potential clubs he could join.
Despite being club captain at Manchester United, Harry Maguire has been used very infrequently this campaign - with just seven Premier League starts - and looks to be firmly out of Erik ten Hag’s preferred team in favour of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
Despite his lack of club game time, he started every World Cup 2022 in Gareth Southgate’s side, including the two games in their Euro 2024 qualification campaign, meaning he has the same number of starts for England as he does Manchester United in the Premier League this season.
With Southgate looking set to drop Raheem Sterling from the England set-up for poor form and a lack of game time after being one of the key players in his squad, could we see the same for his esteemed centre-back?
Manchester United have been linked with Napoli centre-back Kim Min-Jae and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. Given the potential incomings, we might see Maguire moved on for more capable defenders in the style of play ten Hag prefers.
Manchester United signed the former Leicester defender back in 2019 for an eye-watering £80 million, but Maguire has always been a misfit at United in the eyes of football fans.
Should he move away from the club permanently this summer, they will be unable to command a similar price for their club captain, but it might be a suitable option for both parties.
Who are the favourites to sign Harry Maguire this summer?
Aston Villa – 8/1
Aston Villa are the favourites to sign Harry Maguire this summer with a best price of 8/1 (worst price of 4/1). Unai Emery has come in at Villa Park and has lifted Aston Villa from a bottom half finish to a potential Europa Conference League finish ahead of Tottenham.
Despite the established partnership between Esri Konsa and Tyrone Mings, who have started 35 and 34 games respectively in the Premier League this season, they might be keen to add Harry Maguire to the list of options, especially considering they could be fighting on a European front next season.
Emery developed Pau Torres into one of the most targeted centre-backs in Europe, and with a similar profile to Maguire, Emery may be able to rebuild the United captain’s career.
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Newcastle United – 10/1
Another team fighting on a European front next season, Newcastle United are the second favourites to be Maguire’s next club this summer at a best price of 10/1 (worst price 6/1). Eddie Howe has turned Newcastle into a powerhouse at the back this season, conceding just 32 goals this season, only bettered by champions Manchester City (31).
Like Villa, Newcastle have an established defensive duo in Fabian Schar and Sven Botman, who have started 35 and 34 games respectively from a possible 37 in the Premier League this season.
Whether he could be a back-up option for Howe as they compete in the Champions League for the first time since 2003 remains to be seen, but his experience playing in European competitions with both Manchester United and England could be key for the Magpies, particularly when you consider the impact made by Maguire’s international colleague Kieran Trippier.
Newcastle are definitely a club on the rise and Maguire’s recent demise at Old Trafford may make him appear an unattractive option, but he could be one that goes under the radar this summer.
Tottenham – 12/1
From two clubs who have had impressive seasons to one who have had a season to forget; Tottenham are 12/1 favourites (worst price 8/1) to sign Maguire this summer as they look to rebuild after a disastrous campaign.
They look set to finish outside a European place this season, and with Harry Kane potentially off in the summer, they might have more funds than usual to go out and buy players.
Spurs have used a variety of players in central defence this season, with Eric Dier, Cristian Romero, Clement Lenglet, Ben Davies and Davidson Sanchez all making appearances in the league.
They have struggled as of late in defence, conceding 62 goals in the league this season – no side in the top half have conceded more than that. Maguire could be seen as a proven Premier League option to shore up that defence under a new manager, but until that is sorted out we might not see a Spurs swoop for the Manchester United captain.
Brighton – 12/1
Brighton and Hove Albion have had a stellar season and look set to be playing in the Europa League next season. Roberto De Zerbi has turned them into a cracking side to watch and they’ll be playing European football for the first time in their history, who could look for some experience in European competitions to partner Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster in the defensive unit.
Maguire, a best price of 12/1 to join Brighton, would definitely get ample game time at Brighton, but whether it would be an attractive move for him to help him maintain a spot in the England team going into his twilight years is skeptical. Brighton are certainly on the rise, but might not have a set-up established as Newcastle and Tottenham to justify him moving there.
Sheffield United – 20/1
More of an outsider and sentimental option, but Sheffield United are a best price of 20/1 to sign the England centre-back as they look to gain some experience in their first season back in the Premier League since 2021.
It would be Harry Maguire’s second stint at the club after coming through the youth ranks at Bramall Lane to play over 134 times for the Blades. He was named Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in his debut season in League One before moving to Hull City in July 2014, which kick-started his rise up the leagues to where he is now.
Sheffield United would likely be adopting a more defensive style of play, tending to sit deep and play for points, as they look to re-establish themselves in the Premier League.
Joining a club who could no doubt be at risk of dropping into the Championship next season might not be a move Maguire would want to make to keep his England place, and with Southgate tending to only look at the big clubs, the Manchester United captain might soon be out of the squad in the months and years to come as a result.
A partnership with the likes of John Egan, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jack Robinson or Chris Basham would be a step down from the likes of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, but he would be a valuable option for Paul Heckingbottom as they look to survive their first season in the Premier League.
