Harry Maguire has been linked in some quarters with a Manchester United exit but that apears complicated this summer and is therefore unlikely to happen due to two reasons, as Chelsea make their final Wesley Fofana decision.
On Friday evening, surprise links emerged to the United captain who has had some tough times at Old Trafford during his three-year spell. When Erik ten Hag was appointed, the common assumption was that the former Hull City star would be sent straight to the bench at the expense of new signing Lisandro Martinez.
But this has not happened so far as Maguire and Martinez have been paired together in the high backline, meaning Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have been snubbed. However, that could be about to change. Alongside reporting the Chelsea news, the Daily Mail has stated that ten Hag is set to drop the England international from the starting XI for the Monday Night Football clash with rivals Liverpool.
READ MORE: What Harry Maguire has said about Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel as Todd Boehly plots £42m transfer
Chelsea will continue to monitor the situation regarding the 29-year-old but in the meantime, their sole focus is on Wesley Fofana, whose Leicester squad omission for the Southampton loss raised a few eyebrows. Manager Brendan Rodgers explained his decision to axe the 21-year-old in this case but the post-match statement, coupled with what happened during the game itself in the stands, should hand the Blues huge encouragement to get this £80million deal done.
"I don't know. There’s a few offers for some players nowhere near the valuation the club would want to sell," Rodgers said post-match. "None of them are for sale but I know how the game works. There’s a few weeks to go. I don't know what's going to happen."
football.london understands that two bids have been knocked back so far for the Frenchman with the latest being around the £70m mark but if no deal is to be agreed, alternatives like a Maguire could come into the fray.
The Guardian have reported that United view their captain as 'not for sale'. They did indicate though that the Blues will follow up their initial enquiry if Fofana is eventually fully priced out.
What could make this late and shock transfer complicated is two things. The first being that Christian Pulisic, who was viewed as being part of a player-plus-cash swap deal, seemingly has his eyes elsewhere as the USMNT international wants Champions League football. The second is due to the fact that ten Hag will need depth in the defence with Eric Bailly set to be off on loan to Ligue 1 and Marseille.
Chelsea fans- Are there any other Wesley Fofana transfer alternatives other than Harry Maguire who you will be happy with if signed by Todd Boehly? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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