According to Sky Sports both Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire.

The same report suggests that Harry’s current employers don’t wish to sell the England international and have put a £80m price tag on the defender’s head.

That, for me, is a ridiculous price for the twenty-six year old. It would see the Foxes ace leaving for £5m more than Virgil van Dijk did in early 2018.

I get that it’s a ridiculous market these days and I don’t blame The Foxes for holding out for that fee if they don’t wish to sell their central defender.

But in reality, Harry Maguire is a player that has just three years experience in the Premier League and zero appearances in the Champions League. The player also hasn’t won any major pieces of silverware in his career thus far.

Both Manchester sides need to bring in defensive recruitments.

United were woeful at the back last term and it’s clear they need to improve next season but they could probably bring in two players at the same price. Quick fixes haven’t solved Man Utd’s problems in recent years and I’m not sure Maguire would come in and instantly shore up the backline at Old Trafford.

Premier League champions City have lost inspirational leader Vincent Kompany. The Belgian legend has left the Etihad to become the Anderlecht player-boss. I’m not sure Maguire possesses the experienced needed to fill the massive hole that Kompany has left behind him and you’d expect that if you paid £80m for his signature.

Now again I’m not a hater of Maguire. He’s very good in the air, can be a threat in the opposition’s penalty area and he wins plenty of challenges.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola isn’t a manager that just wants his defenders to defend. His defensive men also have to be comfortable with the ball at their feet and not make too many errors.

Harry had an 85% passing success rate last season and that isn’t as good as any of City’s central defenders last year. Maguire in particular isn’t as good when he’s passing the ball in the opposition’s half. Maguire also picked up quite a few cards and that can be costly.

If either United or City could get the defender for £20m less than the £80m asking price then that would represent a much better deal but again Leicester City would be totally justified to reject anything lower than their valuation.

The defender doesn’t seem interested in pushing for a move and that gives Leicester City all the cards when it comes to dealing with potential suitors (Via Leicester Mercury):

“Leicester’s an exciting club to be at − Brendan has really improved the team in the recent months, and he’s someone we’re looking forward to working with,” Maguire told the BBC. “I’m sure he will take the club forward.

“He’s definitely got his own aspects in the game, and I’m sure he will improve us.”

“After a good pre-season, I’m sure he’s the man that can help us break into those European spaces.”

Maybe being Scottish I’m a bit of a tightwad when it comes to money but I can’t see any justification in a team spending a world record fee on a defender that’s still hasn’t won a title or played in the Champions League.

Posted on June 11th, 2019 by scott
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