Leicester City manager Claude Puel has rubbished speculation linking Harry Maguire with a move away from the West Midlands club this summer. According to recent reports, the Foxes have no intention of selling their prized asset when the transfer window opens in the summer and would rather plan to build a team around the English centre-back.
The 25-year-old has put in some eye-catching displays while wearing the Leicester shirt this season which has not gone unnoticed. Some sources have already claimed that a whole host of Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on his situation at Leicester which includes Manchester United.
In a recent interview, the Foxes boss Claude Puel was quoted to have said,
“He is a valuable player for us and I want to build my team around him. It is just speculation,”
“He came into Leicester and played and developed and he needs to continue to improve. He’s a young player with fantastic attributes, an international player, and it is a good thing to have this player at Leicester.
“He is an important player for us and it is important to give him a good feeling for the future, to build a good team around him and to keep a good ambition for the future.”
With Maguire set to stay at the King Power Stadium, let’s take a look at three potential alternatives for Jose Mourinho to consider in the off-season.
Raphael Varane
The French centre-back has featured in 37 matches for the Galacticos this season and has two assists to his name. The 24-year-old defender has been a rock at the back for Los Blancos in the last few campaigns and has a lot of experience playing at the top level. At 24, Varane still has his peak years ahead of them which the Red Devils could look to capitalise on, in the coming years. He has the capability to manage the high expectations that come along when wearing a United jersey and will definitely be a perfect fit under Jose Mourinho.
Samuel Umtiti
The 24-year-old defensive ace has put in some impressive displays for Barcelona this season and has played a key part in the club’s success in the La Liga this term. The French centre-back has made 37 appearances for the Catalans this season in all competitions and has featured regularly for Ernesto Valverde’s team during the course of this campaign. He is a ball playing defender and will be an ideal fit for the Reds of Manchester but it won’t be easy to prise him away from the Nou Camp.
James Tarkowski
The Burnley centre-back has put in some solid performances at the heart of the Clarets defence during the course of this Premier League season. He will be a good fit for United and could turn out to a shrewd signing if the Red Devils can pull off such a deal. The 25-year-old defender has featured in 28 matches for Sean Dyche’s team in this campaign and has played a key role in his side’s climb to the top half of the Premier League standings.
