- Man United risks losing Maguire on a free transfer if foreign clubs reach an agreement with him before activating the extension clause
- Fenerbahce’s Jose Mourinho remains an admirer of Maguire and sees him as a defensive addition to his squad in Turkey
- Galatasaray has also entered the race, hoping to secure Maguire’s services amid doubts over his long-term future at United
Former England captain Harry Maguire’s future at Manchester United appears to hang in the balance as his contract nears its expiration.
With his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, the England international could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs as early as January 1.
Reports indicate that three European powerhouses, Napoli, Fenerbahce, and Galatasaray, are closely monitoring his situation.
Maguire, who became the world’s most expensive defender when he joined United for £80 million in 2019, was enjoying a resurgence in form after enduring a turbulent spell at Old Trafford at the beginning of the season.
Notably, he delivered standout performances against Manchester City and Aston Villa, displaying the defensive ability that once made him indispensable. Despite his recent form, his long-term future with the Red Devils remains uncertain.
Napoli, managed by Antonio Conte, emerged as one of the front-runners to sign Maguire. Conte, having closely observed the 31-year-old during his time in the Premier League, reportedly viewed him as a potential asset for Serie A.
Fenerbahce, under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, also expressed interest. Mourinho, a known admirer of Maguire from his tenure at United, seeks to bolster his defensive options in the Turkish Super Lig.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray have also been keeping tabs on Maguire’s availability, hoping to lure him away from England.
Maguire’s contract contains a clause allowing United to extend his deal by an additional year until 2026. However, if the defender decides to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club, exercising that option could lead to legal complications requiring FIFA intervention.
Such scenarios could force United into a race against time to secure their defender’s services or risk losing him for free.
Reflecting on his current form, Maguire acknowledged the positive direction his performances were heading. After United’s 2-1 victory over City, he remained optimistic, stating,
“All the signs are positive at the moment,” while also hinting at ongoing discussions with the club.
With transfer speculation heating up and foreign clubs circling, United faced a crucial decision, secure Maguire’s long-term future or risk losing one of their most experienced defenders to European competition.
Amorim ready to offload two Man Utd stars in January transfer window
Previously, TheRadar reported that Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim appeared ready to make bold decisions regarding his squad, as reports from Manchester suggested the Portuguese tactician would offload two high-profile players in the January transfer window.
The former Sporting CP manager, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November, had endured a turbulent start at Old Trafford and was eager to reshape his team for the remainder of the season.
