Harry Maguire ‘wants to STAY at Man United’ despite starting just eight league games last season – with Erik ten Hag ‘keen to sell his captain to fund a move for Napoli’s Kim Min-jae’
- Harry Maguire looked set to leave Manchester United in the summer window
- However, it has been reported the centre-back wants to stay and fight for a spot
- Erik ten Hag is keen to sell the club captain to free up funds to sign Kim Min-jae
Harry Maguire is reluctant to leave Manchester United this summer, according to reports, with the defender keen to stay and fight for a spot under Erik ten Hag.
The centre back made just 16 appearances in the Premier League during Ten Hag’s first campaign in charge and was expected to be moved on over the coming weeks.
Just eight of those top-flight outings were starts, underlining the status that Maguire, who joined the club for £80million in 2019, has at Old Trafford.
He has fallen behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order, while full back Luke Shaw has also been picked ahead of him.
But despite being axed, talkSPORT have claimed Maguire would prefer to remain at the club.
Harry Maguire wants to stay at Manchester United despite his lack of game time last season
Captain Maguire struggled for regular minutes during Erik ten Hag’s first campaign in charge
He was expected to leave this summer and Tottenham are understood to be interested in him
Mail Sport understands Tottenham have an interest in United captain Maguire, and Ten Hag is open to selling the 30-year-old ahead of next season.
Maguire is not pushing to quit United but is keeping an open mind on his future. There are no indications, however, that his chances will improve next year.
The same report adds that Ten Hag is keen to sell Maguire to fund a move for Napoli centre back Kim Min-jae, who has attracted plaudits in Serie A this campaign.
Ten Hag has openly admitted the former Leicester man has a decision to make over his future, while England boss Gareth Southgate is concerned over his bit-part role.
It is believed Maguire will be in line for a £10million pay-off from United if he leaves this summer, with the FA Cup final likely to have been his final game at the club. He could be among up to 13 players heading for the Old Trafford exit door.
Maguire is now valued at closer to £30m due to his age and the fact he is two-thirds of his way through a lucrative, £190,000-a-week contract.
England manager Gareth Southgate has expressed concern over Maguire’s bit-part role
Ten Hag is keen to offload Maguire to free up funds to sign Napoli centre back Kim Min-jae
He is set to earn only half that amount at a new club, and this would leave United to foot a £10m wage bill to remove him from their books.
United are keen on Napoli stalwart Kim as a replacement.
The club have prioritised a striker in the summer transfer window but are also looking at strengthening their defence.
Kim enjoyed a sensational campaign in Italy, having helped his side win the title.
He is attracting widespread interest this summer and has a £42m release clause in his deal, with Newcastle reportedly keen on signing him to bolster their squad.
The 26-year-old made 45 appearances this season, scoring two goals.
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