According to Sky Sports, England centre-back Harry Maguire will finally make the move from Leicester to Manchester United for £80million. The move has been brewing for much of the summer, with United already seeing bids turned down for the former Hull star.
If the deal goes ahead then it will make the centre-back the most expensive defender in the history of the game, taking over Virgil van Dijk who moved to Liverpool from Southampton back in January 2018.
A knock-on effect
The transfer will have a knock-on effect in the transfer market. No doubt Maguire is a good player and influential in the heart of the Foxes defence. However, reportedly the club from the Midlands are targeting Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk, valued at £45million as a potential replacement for the 26-year-old.
Dunk is a different sort of player to Maguire, more of a solid centre-back than a defender that brings the ball out from the back like his potential predecessor. He is arguably not in the same class as Maguire. However, for the mooted fee of £45million, he would be a decent replacement. His signing would also leave the Foxes with money to strengthen in other departments of the pitch.
Brighton look to have already found a replacement for Dunk in Bristol City defender Adam Webster, as the Seagulls have agreed a club-record fee of around £20million with the Robins for the centre-back. It may just be a coincidence that another centre-back has joined, but it seems more likely Webster is Dunk’s replacement.
Dunk had formed a good partnership in the heart of the Seagulls defence with Republic of Ireland international Shane Duffy. It looks likely that Duffy will be lining up alongside Webster next season instead.
Maguire move changes dynamics for Leicester and United
Harry Maguire moving from Leicester to Manchester United certainly changes the dynamics of the two teams. Although the England international is not the best defender in the world, he is a big presence in the Foxes team. He will leave big shoes to fill if he moves on.
For United, Maguire looks like just the sort of defender they need. The Red Devils were woeful defensively in the Premier League last season. The priority this summer was to shore up that poor back for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The signing of Maguire alone would not necessarily bring the solidity needed for United. However, Maguire’s arrival and that of highly-rated young full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace should make a difference to their defensive shape. Half a new defence and players arriving better than the ones already at the club is what they needed.
Finishing in the Champions League spots next season will once again be the Red Devils objective. They are still light years away from the levels of their biggest rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. That means a title challenge is unlikely.
Only time will tell how Maguire’s will affect Leicester. The Foxes are dangerous outsiders to break into the leagues top six next season. In a funny way, it may improve their chances of success as they may go out and improve their squad. The Maguire deal that could work out well for everybody. It is also very unlikely that it will be the last of the summer for either club, as they look to strengthen ahead of the kick-off of the new campaign next weekend.
Will Harry Maguire be a good signing for Manchester United?
