Keown: I scouted this Premier League 24-year-old for Arsenal, a trick was missed
By Will Butcher
Martin Keown has revealed that he scouted Hull City defender Martin Keown for Arsenal during his time as a coach with the Gunners.
Maguire, 24, has shone for Premier League relegation candidates Hull at the back, coming to prominence since manager Marco Silva took control of the Tigers in January.
Keown told BBC One’s Football Focus that he watched Maguire for the Gunners, while Maguire was still with Sheffield United.
The former Arsenal defender believes the country’s biggest clubs have missed out on signing Maguire from Sheffield United, as he continues to prove his worth in England’s top flight.
“I think he’s brilliant. A few years ago Arsenal asked me to watch him. There’s not been a better English centre-back in the Premier League this season,” Keown said on Football Focus on Saturday.
“He’s clever, but an old-fashioned defender. He can tackle, he can pass, he can dribble and he can shoot and I think plenty of clubs have missed a trick by not signing Maguire.”
Maguire’s performances for Silva’s side has seen him reportedly interest a number of Premier League sides this season.
The Daily Star claim that Spurs were interested in Maguire back in February, while the Mail reported that Everton’s director of football Steve Walsh was keeping close tabs.
Keown joined Arsene Wenger’s side as a coach after retiring as a player back in 2005, and watched Hull’s number five ply his trade for the Blades.
Maguire opted to join Hull back in 2014, and has since become one of the first names on Silva’s team sheet after making 70 appearances in all competitions for the Yorkshire outfit.
The tough-tackling defender is set to start against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Saturday, as they travel to the Etihad in an attempt to claw themselves further away from the relegation zone.
In other Arsenal news, the agent of this 30-year-old striker has denied reports suggesting his client has held talks with a Ligue 1 club.
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