The Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi may potentially be a top target in Manchester United’s quest for a new centre back.
Following months of whispers, Harry Maguire appears to be leaving Manchester United at last.
According to BBC Sport, Maguire has signed a £30 million contract with West Ham United.
Maguire is eager to join West Ham, and although there is still work to be done, it is not anticipated that the personal terms will be a difficulty.
The 30-year-old lost his position as United captain this summer, and the end has been pretty much inevitable ever since.
Even if Erik ten Hag and company are glad to see Maguire go, they now have to work hard to replace the England international with another defender.
Manchester United was interested in Marc Guehi.
According to the most recent Daily Mail story, United is considering four individuals to take Maguire’s place, including Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guehi.
However, the report also states that because Palace is demanding a high fee, United may be prevented from making a move for Guehi.
According to reports from the London Evening Standard, Guehi was being pursued by Chelsea for a re-signing at the time Palace demanded £50 million for him.
This will be a challenging pursuit for United because that price tag is only going to rise as the transfer deadline draws near.
In his two seasons at Palace after joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2021, Guehi has succeeded.
The 23-year-old is already a member of the England national team, and while moving on with United could be enticing, Palace won’t be looking to offload him.
Who else is wanted by United on defence?
The Mail also included Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, and Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice.
Tapsoba and Guehi’s price tags will probably be astronomical and much higher than what United is getting for Maguire.
Both players still have a good amount of time left on their contracts, and their teams aren’t exactly trying to offload them.
If the most recent rumours are to be believed, Todibo may end up becoming United’s most likely signing.
The Frenchman, who was once compared to Raphael Varane, has resurrected his career with Nice following a difficult stint with Barcelona.
Todibo will be eager to establish himself with a European powerhouse despite the significant step up to United.
Although he is now in the final year of his Bayern deal, Pavard shouldn’t be completely disregarded.
The Bundesliga’s juggernauts may accept a knockdown fee for Pavard before he leaves for free, and his ability to play both left back and centre back may be attractive.
Although we believe Todibo and Pavard are more likely than Guehi and Tapsoba, United has been busy this summer, so you simply cannot rule out another significant acquisition.
