As Harry Maguire prepares to move on from Manchester United just four years after his record £80million transfer, Erik ten Hag is mulling a number of backline options ahead of the start of the season.
The former club captain has endured a torrid run of form for the Red Devils and failed to reinvigorate his Old Trafford career under the Dutch manager after he joined the club from Ajax last summer.
The 30-year-old failed to start for much of United’s last campaign and was demoted from his captaincy ahead of pre-season as the club prepared to accept offers for the England.
Man United has since reached an agreement with West Ham in a reported £30m deal, and Maguire and the Hammers are set to hash out personal terms ahead of a planned fresh start in the capital.
But with Maguire’s departure, the Manchester club lacks depth in defence, something which Ten Hag will be keen to remedy in the final weeks of the transfer window.
Harry Maguire is closing in on a £30m move to West Ham after four turbulent years at United
Erik ten Hag has been building a short list of contenders to take over from the former captain
Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard (left) and Edmond Tapsoba of Leverkusen are favoured
The former Ajax boss is considering Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, Jean Clair Todibo of Nice, Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard, and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi as contenders to fill his role.
Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler also understands that a one-year deal could also be handed to Jonny Evans, who signed a short-term deal with the club to accompany the side on their pre-season tour, eight years after wrapping up his first stint at his boyhood club to join Leicester.
The 35-year-old is believed to have impressed Ten Hag during his second spell as part of United’s defence, and could prove an efficient short-term option as the club takes its time to find a long-term centre-back.
United was briefly linked with Tapsoba in 2021, and renew their interest in the wake of Tottenham’s abortive move for the player, who is part of Leverkusen’s defensive bedrock.
The 24-year-old has made over 100 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit since his move from Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2020, and was named to the AFCON 2021 Team of the Tournament for his international performances for Burkina Faso.
But the player’s likely price tag could put Tapsoba out of reach for the club, who would find themselves in a similar situation with Guehi, who joined Palace two seasons ago from Chelsea.
Todibo has been a roiling target this summer, alongside midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, further to United’s completion of priority moves for Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund, and United are thought to have discussed a potential move with the player’s brother and his representatives.
Pavard could be convinced of a move following his side’s signing of Napoli’s Kim Min-jae in July, and his ability to play at right-back is also considered highly prized by Ten Hag.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi (left) may prove too expensive, whilst the Red Devils have spoken to the representatives for Jean Clair Todibo (right)
Jonny Evans (right) was signed on an ultra-short-term deal to join Man United on pre-season
The World Cup winner with France was eyed closely by Manchester City earlier in the window as a potential target should Kyle Walker opt to move in the other direction.
But the England star is set to sign a new 12-month contract extension to stay at the Etihad, despite previously making a verbal agreement with Bayern.
United will look to get their season off on the right foot without new defensive recruits in their opener against Wolves on Monday.
Ten Hag’s side will be keen to move on from a patchy pre-season campaign, which saw them register defeats against Real Madrid, Wrexham, and Dortmund, and a draw against Athletic Bilbao.
