Man Utd are pursuing a transfer for the Leicester City and England centre-back.
Many of Manchester United's current problems in the summer transfer window are of their own making and now they have to face with a new problem: Harry Maguire.
Let's start with the cold, hard facts. Maguire is good enough to play for Manchester United. He would improve their current back line and seemingly slot into a squad now packed full of homegrown English talent. He's a class player.
But he's not quite as good as Matthijs de Ligt, the 19-year-old boy mountain who has just completed a £67.5million transfer from Ajax to Juventus.
There are still some in the football-loving fraternity who will view that figure for De Ligt and baulk. Most, however, would accept that it's an excellent price for an excellent player.
Nearly all, however, could be forgiven for scratching their heads and wondering why United will most certainly have to pay at least £10million more for Maguire.
So many factors are at play here: the fact Ajax are a 'selling club' and would be delighted with their lot; Leicester's bloated Premier League TV income that means they don't have to sell assets, the premium placed on homegrown players moving within the English top flight; previous moves that have determined the market value of such players, plus United's desperation to sign a centre-back.
You could argue the last of those factors is United's fault. In buying Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof in successive summers, they ought to have ironed out the long-standing problem in the centre of defence. But Bailly has been injury-prone and none of the alternatives — Jones, Rojo or Chris Smalling — fill supporters with much confidence.
So it's a problem of the modern transfer market and the Premier League centre-back market in particular — which has been hugely affected by the £75million deal taking Virgil van Dijk from Southampton to Liverpool 18 months ago — that leaves United in this predicament.
You can understand Leicester's stance. As Brendan Rodgers has said, they don't need to sell Maguire and they're within their rights to demand a Van Dijk type fee for one of the league's best centre-backs.
But it leaves United in a position where they must make Maguire the world's most expensive defender if they're to land him. That's a label that will put extra pressure on the player, the club and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It will increase the scrutiny on everyone involved in the deal, which is unfair on many of them.
Unfortunately, there's little can be done about it, so United will have to grit their teeth and sign a player they need, for a fee that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. That's modern football, as we've come to know it.
Bowkmnopru
1
for those of you that are complaining about the money, the money na your own?
jouciklmnp
0
Woodward will like to buy Maguire wit 10m pounds.
yes
jouciklmnp
0
he is not worth that money united should lookout for another player elsewhere period
not
Chilliams
0
leave Maguire too expensive and put faith In Tuanzebe
ChristopherSigur
0
Jones can be convert into a Striker. Dont worry about forward
kene200
0
alderweireld he also has a 25M release clause
so what's your point
kene200
1
Name a better CB than him who is willing to come,who is PL prooven and also could bring the ball out from the back who is a leader and doesn't do many mistakes and also good in the air And also who is not overpriced
alderweireld he also has a 25M release clause
fizzbizzie
1
fix the middle first..it's most important..
fizzbizzie
1
For the United fans saying we don’t need him let me say something. WE LET IN 54 GOALS LAST SEASON. 54 GOALS DAMMIT! MORE THAN ANY TEAM IN THE TOP 6 and MORE THAN MOST OUTSIDE THE 6. Last year we had Shaw-Lindelöf-Jones- Young. This year we have the chance to have Shaw-Lindelöf-Maguire-Bissaka. That defense is much better. For all y’all saying it’s too much I DONT CARE IF HE COSTS 80 million or 180 MILLION. WE NEED HIM AT ALL COSTS
we let those goals in cos the midfield wasn't functioning.. no matter how much you change your back line or front line.. if the midfield is outplayed by average or below average teams.. the team still conceded as much.. man utd most importantly has to add creativity to that middle.. that is the most important thing ..
Mboy_Swag04
4
For the United fans saying we don’t need him let me say something. WE LET IN 54 GOALS LAST SEASON. 54 GOALS DAMMIT! MORE THAN ANY TEAM IN THE TOP 6 and MORE THAN MOST OUTSIDE THE 6. Last year we had Shaw-Lindelöf-Jones- Young. This year we have the chance to have Shaw-Lindelöf-Maguire-Bissaka. That defense is much better. For all y’all saying it’s too much I DONT CARE IF HE COSTS 80 million or 180 MILLION. WE NEED HIM AT ALL COSTS
Bocbcips
0
because this is manchester united!!!
MelvynJ
1
Trust me When Maguire goes to United... He and Van Dijk will be face TO face
Lacalntz
0
Ed is drawing united backwards with his transfer plans, we need maguire and dybala if we want to compete with our rivals.
Yiokpsz
0
whether he is Worth or not it's none of fans case however as wise fan I just say maguire is welcome, Bruno is welcome, Bybala and Icardi are all welcome.
yepdenoy
0
van digjk was unknown n unestablished buh Liverpool bought him wit that record fee whiles Maguire has established himself buh united want to pay small for him.woodward is jxt not correct n serious.He will jxt collapse united like AC Milan .Nonsense!!!
please...van dijk was not unheard of...he had already started making a name for himself...in celtic in Southampton and everyone knew...he was gonna be one of the best...and worth a hell lot of money
Vodbdipt
0
let's forget the price and land him today, because you are breaking my hearts
Vodbdipt
0
we need the boy right now, and he is one of the best center back in the premiere league, let's spend and sign him.
vaadnop
0
he is not worth that money united should lookout for another player elsewhere period
koncimopry
0
There are other options; However, Ole's eyes can't see other than English players
fennprstu
1
WE R NOW WAISTING TIME ON HIM
fennprstu
0
I WANT THE BOY BUT HE S EXPENSIVE S THERE NO 1 ELSE ????[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Hipcilmpry
1
The guy not worth that price
Roebiknops
0
Woodward will like to buy Maguire wit 10m pounds.
Roebiknops
0
van digjk was unknown n unestablished buh Liverpool bought him wit that record fee whiles Maguire has established himself buh united want to pay small for him.woodward is jxt not correct n serious.He will jxt collapse united like AC Milan .Nonsense!!!
tuzckmpsy
0
sing r dias pls ole Maguire over age
dopacilnry
0
No bruno ,No maguire we hope to finish to 4 hahaa let us hope finish in to 10.
Diseikn
0
UTD should forget this Dude instead, splash that money another top centre back elsewhere. He's good but not the best. DE LIGT is better than him yet Leicester still demanding high
Shadel22
0
Ruben dias is better
his stats are little less than Maguire
ManUtdRed
0
Ruben dias is a better talent. he is just like Ramos
He could fail in the PL,Lindelof failed badly in his first season,we need someone for this season For future we have got Tuanzebe who is as much talented as anyone else
zapelst
0
end the stipidity of maguire and go for florienta man or ruben diaz
Ruben dias is better
zapelst
0
Absolutely,Maguire is the best CB that we can get right now so it's better to sign him rather than moaning about his price Those rivals will mock us as they don't want us to have a quality CB,And in today's market every player is overpriced Just look at the other CB who are even more overpriced Koulibaly €150M Diop. £60M Dunk. £45M So we should go for the best CB that we can get and mind u Ruben Dias isn't PL prooven,he might fail in the PL,while Maguire is PL prooven CB,and also just 26
Ruben dias is a better talent. he is just like Ramos
Diklyz
0
man untd trnsafe news
Wapanrty
0
Maguire Face can intimidate strikers so he is good and also with PL experience so let get him
Meucdimnps
0
end the stipidity of maguire and go for florienta man or ruben diaz
ruben dias stats are good but little less than that of maguore .but he is young and be more better.
taudily
0
This guy is not worth it...get rid of him and move on
Meucdimnps
0
end the stipidity of maguire and go for florienta man or ruben diaz
all our huge signings are flop
ManUtdRed
0
end the stipidity of maguire and go for florienta man or ruben diaz
These are inexperienced player who could fail in the PL
ManUtdRed
0
just forget this Maguire and find someone better than him at even a fee below this guy
Name a better CB than him who is willing to come,who is PL prooven and also could bring the ball out from the back who is a leader and doesn't do many mistakes and also good in the air And also who is not overpriced
Amandeepsingh
1
Toby alderwield best signing with lot of work EPL experience and strong leadership quality while guiding the young stars to reach their potential
BabaNla_14
1
marguire marguire marguire marguire marguire marguire marguire marguire marguire marguire this is getting too much
ManUtdRed
4
Absolutely,Maguire is the best CB that we can get right now so it's better to sign him rather than moaning about his price Those rivals will mock us as they don't want us to have a quality CB,And in today's market every player is overpriced Just look at the other CB who are even more overpriced Koulibaly €150M Diop. £60M Dunk. £45M So we should go for the best CB that we can get and mind u Ruben Dias isn't PL prooven,he might fail in the PL,while Maguire is PL prooven CB,and also just 26
Benjaminpule01
0
We are tired of listening to the same story about maguire.Enough of rumuors
Meucdimnps
2
end the stipidity of maguire and go for florienta man or ruben diaz
Attah Vincent
0
all rumors are always rumors
yuzlat
0
just forget this Maguire and find someone better than him at even a fee below this guy
jutabpstz
2
Shane Duffy is better sign him