Everton backed to agree Harry Maguire deal after Man United contract update
Everton have been tipped to join multiple Premier League rivals in the race to sign Harry Maguire should he leave Man United for free this summer.
Maguire‘s contract at Old Trafford is set to expire in June, and the uncertainty surrounding his future has placed a number of clubs on alert.
Former West Ham scout Mick Brown, who worked closely with David Moyes there, told Football Insider that the 32-year-old could be “perfect” for Everton.
Moyes was keen to bring the England international to the London Stadium during his time at West Ham, and could now revisit the opportunity.
Maguire will have no shortage of suitors should he leave Man United this summer, but the opportunity to continue playing Premier League football will be appealing.
Harry Maguire availability puts Everton on alert
Brown told Football Insider on 20 January that Man United should extend Maguire’s contract, but there are doubts about whether they will make the move.
His return to the starting XI under Michael Carrick has been widely praised, but his exit has not been ruled out with a new boss set to arrive in the summer.
“Another one Everton could look at is Maguire,” Brown told Football Insider.
“If he’s going to be leaving Man United on a free transfer, there are a number of clubs in the Premier League who will be looking to bring him in.
“There might be some question marks about his age now, so that probably won’t do him many favours in terms of the clubs looking at him.
“But Everton want to bring in a new centre-back, and there won’t be many better options on a free transfer than Harry Maguire. That would appeal to anybody.
“Moyesey is a big fan of his and we wanted to bring him to West Ham but that didn’t happen for one reason or another, so maybe now is the right time.
“It will depend on whether Man United are going to let him go, but if they decide not to renew his deal, Everton should be one of the clubs queueing up.”
Everton considering sensational return for John Stones
Maguire is not the only centre-back on Everton’s radar at the moment, with multiple options being considered, including Man City star John Stones.
Brown told Football Insider on 20 January that Everton would love to re-sign Stones as Moyes is believed to be a big fan of the 31-year-old.
Like Maguire, the England international’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and there is a growing feeling City will be prepared to let him leave.
However, there are major concerns about his fitness issues which could see Everton step back from making a move for the 31-year-old.
Stones has made just 13 appearances across all competitions so far this season through various muscle injuries, and Pep Guardiola has refused to put a timeframe on his return.
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