The recent salary increase of Harry Maguire due to Manchester United’s qualification for the Champions League is posing a challenge in selling the defender. Erik ten Hag, the manager, wants to secure funds to purchase a goalkeeper and a centre-forward, and may have to find a replacement for Maguire if he leaves the club.
Following the team’s successful third-place finish last season, Maguire, like the rest of United’s squad, was rewarded with a significant wage rise. This was a result of the club’s return to the Champions League after playing in the Europa League.
Although Maguire has lost his first-choice status under Ten Hag and both player and manager are open to a departure, his increased pay means he will carefully consider any potential move. He will weigh the potential loss of earnings against the decision to remain an automatic choice for the England national team.
Ten Hag began the transfer window with a budget of approximately £120m. He has already spent just under half of this amount on the £55m acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea. This leaves him with the task of raising funds to secure an elite goalkeeper and a number nine striker. Maguire, who was bought for £80m, could potentially be sold for £30m-£40m given his age, decline in form, and remaining two years on his contract.
The manager is also willing to sell Fred, who is 30 years old and has one year left on his deal. This sale may fetch around £30m. Additionally, 21-year-old Anthony Elanga, with a contract until 2026, could also be sold for a similar amount. Scott McTominay, on the other hand, would only be allowed to leave if United receives a substantial offer, as Ten Hag values him as a valuable squad member.
If Maguire, Fred, and Elanga are sold, it could raise a maximum of £100m. Together with the £65m remaining in Ten Hag’s initial budget, he would have a total of £165m to spend on a goalkeeper, striker, and a centre-back to replace Maguire.
United has made a verbal offer of £39m for André Onana, although Internazionale values their goalkeeper closer to £51m. Ten Hag is interested in Atalanta’s centre-forward, Rasmus Højlund.
In the event of Maguire’s departure, one option for Ten Hag would be to utilize Luke Shaw as a central defender, as he did last season. However, it is believed that this is not the manager’s preferred choice.
Regarding potential buyers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has confirmed his interest in purchasing United. However, he has signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and respects the confidential nature of the process. He has had positive conversations with the Glazer family, but ultimately, the decision lies with them. Ratcliffe, the owner of Ineos, and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani are the only publicly declared bidders for a controlling interest in the club.
Please note: The newsletter promotion section has been omitted from the rewritten content.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
