Manchester City face the prospect of losing up to two central defenders before the start of the 2019-20 campaign, as captain Vincent Kompany is set to leave on a free transfer while there have been reports that experienced defender Nicolas Otamendi is also linked with a move away from Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s team will then need two or at least one new central defenders before the next season begins.
City have now been linked with Leicester City’s defender Harry Maguire, as per Daily Mail, while rivals Manchester United are also interested in the Englishman. But the report states that Maguire may choose Pep Guardiola’s side over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team for a move in the summer transfer window.
Maguire has been in phenomenal form for Leicester City since signing for the Premier League side in 2017 and has gone on to become a regular fixture in the English national team as well. The central defender played 31 times for the Foxes in the Premier League, scoring 3 goals and helping the team to a ninth-place finish in the league.
The Englishman joined Leicester for £12 million from Hull City in 2017 and his contract with the club will expire in 2023 after Maguire signed a new contract in 2018 following speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.
Will signing Maguire be a good move for the Sky Blues?
Maguire could be a perfect fit for Manchester City and if his decision to choose City over Manchester United is true, it is not a surprise and could work well for both Maguire and City. The Englishman is comfortable with the ball at his feet and likes driving up the pitch with the ball, which would please Guardiola.
He is also a player who is tall standing at 6’4″ and is good in the air, which is an area that Guardiola himself revealed that they will need to strengthen, particularly while defending set pieces. Maguire also has Premier League experience and has shown that he can be a leader at the back. At 26 years of age, Maguire will have a lot to offer in the next 5-7 years for City and could become an important player for the Sky Blues.
