Revealing Manchester United’s strategy, Fabrizio Romano has outlined the club’s three prime targets for the center-back position, intended to fill the void left by the departing Harry Maguire.
News emerged on Wednesday that West Ham United has reached an agreement to secure the services of Maguire from United, with the deal believed to be valued around £30 million.
Indeed, during the past season, the 30-year-old faced challenges in securing regular playing time at Old Trafford. In July, he was stripped of the captaincy, with Bruno Fernandes assuming the leadership role.
As reported by the BBC, Maguire is said to be eager for the move, and while personal terms are yet to be finalized, they are not anticipated to present an obstacle.
Having joined United in August 2019 for a record-breaking £80 million, setting a world record fee for a defender, Maguire found himself making just eight Premier League starts in the previous term. He fell behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and left-back Luke Shaw in the pecking order.
With his place on the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 potentially at risk, it seems Maguire is on the brink of departure.
According to Romano, Manchester United has already established a shortlist of potential replacements for Maguire, including a World Cup-winning player.
Man Utd’s Maguire alternatives
Romano claimed that United have identified Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard, Nice’s Jean Clair Todibo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba as possible Maguire replacements.
In atweet, the transfer guru said: “Manchester United have three options in the list for new centre back.
Manchester United have three options in the list for new centre back 🔴 #MUFC
Benjamin Pavard, Jean Clair Todibo and Edmond Tapsoba are being considered as possibile names to replace Maguire.
Talks already took place with Todibo as revealed here; Pavard, keen on the move. pic.twitter.com/0Jfj2jnp4f
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 9, 2023
“Benjamin Pavard, Jean Clair Todibo and Edmond Tapsoba are being considered as possible names to replace Maguire.
“Talks already took place with Todibo as revealed here; Pavard, keen on the move.”
Pavard, who was part of France’s World Cup winning squad in 2018, has been linked with a Bayern departure throughout the summer.
Meanwhile, Todibo has long been on United’s radar, having had a trial with the Premier League giants when he was a teenager.
Furthermore, Tapsoba could go for a bargain price considering he has just 12 months remaining on his Leverkusen deal. The 24-year-old had been the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the window.