Harry Maguire is one of a number of first team players Manchester United are willing to sell this summer in order to support reinvestment into the squad for next season, 90min understands.
Maguire, now 30, remains the world’s most expensive defender after he joined United from Leicester for £80m in 2019, but has fallen down the pecking order under current manager Erik ten Hag – who is favouring a central defensive partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
Installed as club captain by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Maguire himself has admitted to finding it difficult to come to terms with playing on the bench at times this season, and while determined to force his way back in to first choice status his best chance of first team football may come elsewhere.
A number of Premier League clubs are interested in signing Maguire, and United understand they are set to receive well below the initial fee they paid for him if sold.
It’s understood Ten Hag believes he can work with Maguire and is open to the England international fighting for his place, though Maguire has been told he is no longer first choice and may sink further down the pecking order as United continue looking to strengthen their squad. Maguire has been informed he can leave and the club are on the lookout for a new centre back if they are able to balance the squad with sales in the summer, though central midfield and centre forward are the priority positions.
Newcastle are understood to be monitoring Maguire’s situation and while United would prefer an outright sale if Maguire is to leave, a loan may be considered in order to facilitate taking on his sizeable wages on the condition that deal leads to a future permanent deal.
