Manchester United close to signing €40m defender despite Maguire staying
Manchester United are nearing the acquisition of Harry Maguire’s replacement REUTERS/Craig Brough.
More than one Manchester United fan expected Harry Maguire to no longer be a part of the squad this summer. The writing has been on the wall for some time. The summer confirmed a decision which has been in the works arguably from last season itself with the English defender being stripped off his captaincy in favour of Bruno Fernandes.
Moreover, recent interest from West Ham United did indicate that the once most expensive defender in the world would see greener pastures and an end would be in sight to his journey at Old Trafford.
That has simply not happened. The Hammers deal fell apart and Erik ten Hag seems content keeping the former Leicester City man at the club. This is what makes the latest news about United’s transfer activity on defenders very intriguing, to say the least.
Nice defender nearing move to Manchester United
As per L’Equipe Jean-Claire Todibo is nearing a move to the Red Devils as the window approaches its end.
The 23-year-old was on the club’s radar along with Benjamin Pavard as the Maguire-West Ham rumours began to take shape. However, with Pavard increasingly looking Serie-A bound, it is Todibo who purportedly has taken centre-stage.
It is understood that scouts of the Mancunian giants kept a closely monitored eye on the €40m-rated defender during his league outing with Nice against Lille OSC. This observation could have played a role in convincing the club to go for the deal, with the main report putting in plainly that a transfer is now “in sight.”
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United do have an interesting assortment of options in their backline. Ten Hag even confirmed a few days ago that veteran Jonny Evans is still in talks with a club to extend his stay beyond this month. As such, Todibo arriving without Maguire going would make for a crowded dressing room.
