Three big Serie A clubs have turned their attention to Harry Maguire, it has been revealed, while Manchester United have found a brilliant replacement.
Maguire has had a big comeback win at Manchester United. Initially ridiculed for costing the club £80 million in August 2019, he was then stripped of the captain’s armband by former manager Erik ten Hag in July 2023.
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Many players would have either lost faith or pushed for a move away from Old Trafford. But Maguire worked hard and impressed Ten Hag’s replacement, Rúben Amorim.
The centre-back seems to have achieved cult hero status at United, as he rarely starts games but still appears with crucial goals, most notably against Liverpool and Lyon.
Maguire’s contract expires at the end of the season, and it was assumed back in November that an extension would be agreed. But a lot has happened since then. (Ruben Amorim has been fired and replaced for the rest of the season by Michael Carrick)
While uncertainty over who United’s next permanent manager will be continues, clubs have seen an opportunity to strike for Maguire.
Italian journalist Marco Conterio, who works for Tuttomercatoweb and Radio Sportiva, has stated that Harry Maguire ‘could end up in Serie A in January’.
His profile has appeared ‘on the table of big clubs’ in Italy. Many teams are ‘actively considering his profile’, especially Inter Milan, Napoli and Fiorentina. Maguire has ‘opened up a move to Italy’. He can revive his career by following in the footsteps of former United players such as Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund.
Italian clubs see Maguire as a great opportunity to get an experienced defender for a small transfer fee. Given the 32-year-old’s contract situation, January represents United’s last chance to cash in on him.
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Replacement for Harry Maguire emerges
INEOS appears to be preparing for a life without Maguire, as it emerged earlier on Friday that it is planning a £70 million bid for Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo.
United see the Brazilian as a top-quality upgrade for Maguire. In more good news for United fans, Murillo is set to ‘pursue a bigger challenge away from Forest’ this summer.
The report adds that Murillo will only stay at Forest if they qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, which appears to be a difficult task. “The idea is probably that if he still doesn’t get to play in the Champions League, he can settle for tripling his salary.
Of course, United are not guaranteed a place in the Champions League next season, but Murillo will see them as an obvious step up given their history and status.
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