According to latest reports, Everton are preparing for a tough battle with Premier League runners-up Tottenham Hotspur as they target Hull City’s defensive revelation the past season, Harry Maguire. The English centre-half has been phenomenal at the back for the Tigers last season and now with the side relegated, he will surely make the step up that he deserves.
After a brilliant second half of the last season, which saw the Toffees cement a place in the seventh position in the top-half of the table, Ronald Koeman has bigger challenges next with Europa League in their sights. Given their squad quality and the sides taking part in the tournament, the Merseyside club will surely fancy their chances.
However, retaining their star players and filling in the little gaps remain a quintessential task in the meantime. Losing out on full-back Seamus Coleman and centre-half Funes-Mori were huge blows inflicted in the closing stages, and the Dutch gaffer should make sure he brings in potential replacements for them.
Despite the late heroics in the league by Phil Jagielka, the old man seems destined to part ways with Goodison Park unless he is willing to play second fiddle to Ashley Williams, Funes-Mori or even Mason Holgate. And Everton’s reported interest in this towering centre-back further increases his chances of leaving the club.
At 188cm, the Sheffield-bornMaguire simply dominates in the air, winning most of the aerial duels and would be a valuable addition to any side. He has been one of the most consistent performers for the Tigers at the back both alongside Michael Dawson and Andrea Ranocchia. Maguire played a significant part in Hull’s impressive home record in the second half of the season.
At only 24, Maguire has exhibited some disciplined and strong defending and is already touted by many as the future of English football. And with the 2018 World Cup in sight, this will surely be a defining season for the player, which makes his next destination all the more important.
He is labelled in the region of £22 million by Hull, a sum which is easily affordable for both Everton and Tottenham. However, moving to Everton would make a lot of sense for the 24-year-old. Maguire will always be the second fiddle to Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in the Spurs squad, while he is surely the future at Goodison Park with Ashley Williams fast approaching his end.
Of course, Champions League football will be a big lure, hard to turn down, but first-team football is something he should be more concerned with. Since making his debut for England’s U-21 back in 2012, he couldn’t manage another cap in the last five years. And regularly playing for an established club in the Premier League will definitely change that.
