Manchester United are reportedly prepared to accept cut-price offers for one of their most experienced players during the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are reportedly prepared to accept a cut-price offer for one of their most experienced players in the summer.
The Red Devils are currently focused on trying to deliver some kind of European football for the 2024-25 campaign having missed out on the Champions League.
Erik ten Hag‘s side have the backup of an FA Cup final with Manchester City, yet their focus is on trying to secure seventh place in the Premier League standings.
Regardless of the outcome, though, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will help oversee an upheaval of the squad during the off-season with United having dropped further behind the best clubs in England’s top flight.
United also seem highly likely to have a new head coach at the helm with reports persisting that Ten Hag could be removed from his position in the dugout.
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Defender on list of likely departures
With United seemingly prepared to part ways with Ten Hag, it emphasises their desire for change, and it appears that another leading senior figure in the dressing room could move onto pastures new.
According to Football Insider, Harry Maguire is likely to be among the players to leave the Theatre of Dreams.
In comparison to his first year under Ten Hag, Maguire has been far more involved and much improved in his second, making 25 starts and six substitute outings in all competitions.
That is partly down to injuries sustained by his central-defensive teammates, yet the 31-year-old would have played more often had he not suffered his own fitness issues.
Nevertheless, Maguire’s contract being due to expire in 2025 leaves United in a position where they effectively have to offer a renewal or sell the England international.
The report suggests that the latter option will be taken by the powers-that-be at United as they bid to lower the average age of the backline and squad in general.
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How much cost Maguire cost?
Although Maguire was an £80m addition in 2019, United will need to be realistic regarding their valuation of the player if they sell in the summer.
As well as his age and contract situation, there will be an acceptance that Maguire has featured in a United side that have produced some of their worst defensive performances in recent memory.
United will allegedly entertain offers in the region of £20m, yet compromises may have to be reached depending on Maguire’s wage demands at any new club.
With United’s need to meet the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations, getting Maguire’s wages off their outgoings would help considerably with that effort.
That said, United are being heavily linked with an approach for England manager Gareth Southgate, someone who has been heavily reliant on Maguire on the international scene.