Manchester United chasing £50m England defender to replace Harry Maguire – in huge statement of intent: report

Manchester United Head Coach / Manager Erik ten Hag arrives prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 19, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag arrives at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium

(Image credit: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United have interest in a £50 million England star who could end up replacing Harry Maguire.

The Red Devils have won one and lost one in their opening two fixtures of the Premier League season – but the performances have been testing for manager Erik ten Hag. Pundits have criticised the lack of direction on the field, as Ten Hag looks to get his signings gelling together immediately.

And with the transfer window due to close in less than a fortnight, there could still be new faces coming through the door – though in defence, it seems as if a new buy will hinge on whether former club captain Harry Maguire leaves. 

Harry Maguire of Manchester United applauds the supporters after the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Manchester United and Everton on 6 January, 2023 at Old Trafford in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Manchester United want to move Harry Maguire on (Image credit: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

The England international was omitted completely from the matchday squad which lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, as Ten Hag opted for two goalkeepers on his bench instead. 

Maguire's move to West Ham United fell through last week, with Ten Hag claiming he was "happy" to see the move collapse – but United are still believed to want to sell him.

VIDEO: Who's Winning The Premier League This Season?

Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT that one player that Manchester United have interest in is Marc Guehi, with the England defender a potential option to replace Maguire at centre-back.

No one has matched Crystal Palace's £50 million valuation of the 23-year-old but United have precedent in this situation. Last summer, they paid what many believed to be over the odds to bring in Casemiro to steady the midfield after losing their first two games of the season – so it perhaps can't be ruled out that they would do the same for a young, homegrown defender to replace Raphael Varane in the long-term.

Chelsea target Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace during Pre-Season Friendly match between Crystal Palace and Brondby IF at Crystal Palace FC Training Ground on July 15, 2023 in Beckenham, England.

Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace is on United's radar (Image credit: Getty Images)

United also have veteran stopper Jonny Evans training with the club. 

Guehi is valued at €35m by Transfermarkt

More Manchester United stories

Manchester United transfer news is coming thick and fast as we enter the final few weeks of the summer window.

Harry Maguire could be one of seven players on their way out of Old Trafford between now and deadline day. Meanwhile, a World Cup-winning star could be about to join United from another European heavyweight.

The Manchester United season preview looks at why the Red Devils can start to dream of winning the Premier League title again, while all other 91 clubs in the top four tiers of English football are looked at, too.  

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.