According to the latest reports from the Daily Star, Tottenham Hotspur are going to battle it out with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United for the signature of Leicester City’s defensive ace Harry Maguire. The English defender has won a lot of praises for his performance this season, and he has gone from strength to strength after an impressive World Cup campaign.
Manchester United have been linked with him for quite some time, and they are said to be willing to splash £60m for the English defender in the summer. All the heavyweight clubs must have realised that they need to make a lot of ground to match the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City as both of them have accumulated over 94 points this season.
Why Spurs need a defender?
Tottenham Hotspur can lose the services of their star centre back Toby Alderweireld. The Belgian centre half is going to be available for £25m in the upcoming summer transfer window due to a clause in his contract which was activated when Spurs triggered a year-long extension for him. The 30-year-old has been a leader at the back for his side, and his performances have brought Spurs in touching distance of achieving European glory.
Is Maguire a good fit for Spurs?
When so many heavyweight clubs are after someone, then the defender must undoubtedly be doing something right. The Englishman is reliable and robust but what makes him stand out is his on the ball abilities. Maguire is calm and composed with the ball at his feet, and he can even carry the ball from the back.
Given the way Spurs like to build from the back, Maguire should fit right into Pochettino’s style of play. To go with all that, he is impressive in the air as well. However, he lacks a bit of pace, and there is still room for improvements in him.
The 26-year-old is currently at the peak of his career, and that is the reason why the former Hull City man is in such a huge demand. Maguire has proven himself in the Premier League in the past few years, and a move to a heavyweight club could be on the cards.
Why Spurs might edge it over other rivals?
The report mentions that Pochettino wants a ready-made replacement for Alderweireld and Spurs will undoubtedly look to do business in the upcoming transfer window. Spurs might be able to edge out their other rivals if Arsenal misses out on winning the Europa League thereby missing out on Champions League qualification. Chelsea are going to appeal FIFA’s transfer ban in Court of Arbitration for Sports, but as things stand, they are banned for the next two transfer windows. Manchester United cannot offer Maguire Champions League football. All in all, advantage Spurs!
