Chelsea icon Emmanuel Petit has urged his former club to sign Manchester United captain Harry Maguire before the summer transfer window shuts.
The Blues have had a third bid for Leicester star Wesley Fofana turned down by the Foxes this week with the club preparing a new bid in the region of £75million. Leicester value Fofana at £80million, a fee that would match the world record for a defender currently held by Maguire after he moved from the King Power Stadium to Old Trafford.
Chelsea are said to have enquired about the availability of Maguire this summer with the England international having been left out of Erik ten Hag's side that beat Liverpool 2-1 on Monday night. Petit believes a move for Maguire would be a 'win-win' for both parties and has urged the Blues to make a move for the 29-year-old.
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Speaking to fairbettingsites.co.uk, Chelsea icon Emmanuel Petit discussed Harry Maguire's potential move to Stamford Bridge. The former France international said: "Honestly, I watched the game Monday night, and I looked at his face on the bench – him [Maguire] and Cristiano Ronaldo – and I’m pretty sure he was thinking exactly what everyone was thinking after the game.
"After the very good performance collectively and especially at the back, Martinez and Varane, they played very well. If I am Maguire, I would feel insecure and in a very difficult position.
"When I look at him, my first feeling is ‘this guy is destroyed mentally’. He’s not there anymore, he needs to rebuild mentally.
"He has to do this every single game, by playing well. Trying to get back the confidence from the fans, from his team mates, from the press, from himself, to try to feel more secure on the pitch."
Maguire has been criticised for his recent form at club level and was dropped by Ten Hag for the huge clash against Liverpool earlier this week. The United captain now faces an uphill battle to reclaim a starting spot in defence and Petit believes he has the quality to turn his form around.
"At the moment, this is not the case. I think mentally, he’s very low, he’s down," the former Chelsea midfielder continued. "He needs to work mentally.
"He’s got quality to be a good defender – for me, he’s not one of the top defenders, he’s never been. But he’s a good quality defender if he’s good in his head and plays well, but this is not the case for ages. He has received criticism for two or three years now.
"For me, I’m not sure his future is laying with Manchester United. I think things have gone too far. To be honest with you, if I am Maguire, I would probably think about leaving because the World Cup is coming, so if I’m not playing, that means my position in the national team is in danger as well. All the dangers are surrounding him.
"He needs to take a very strong decision for his future right now, if I’m Maguire, I cannot see myself playing the next game. Ten Hag has been convinced with Varane and Martinez – I can guarantee they will play the next game and if they play well and they win again, he will never change his team."
Maguire has shown in the past he can perform in a back three with England and during his time at Leicester that saw him earn his £80million move to Old Trafford. Petit thinks that a move to Stamford Bridge would be good for him and help him rediscover his best form.
"He [Maguire] needs to take a big decision. If he wants to play for Chelsea, that could be good for him. I think he would probably play, because Thiago Silva is aged, and they need a central defender," Petit added.
"I think it’s a win-win position for Chelsea and Maguire. If I am Maguire, I would leave Manchester United."
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