Two CL clubs plotting January move for United veteran, 32-yo eager to leave Carrick’s side – report

Harry Maguire’s long-term future at Manchester United is shrouded in uncertainty. The 32-year-old defender has entered the final six months of his contract with the 20-time English champions. Although United retain the option to extend his deal by a further year, it remains to be seen whether they will trigger it. There have even been suggestions that, rather than exercising the clause, the club could instead offer him fresh terms, provided he agrees to a pay cut. As Maguire’s situation at M16 grows increasingly clouded, an intriguing update has emerged. Maguire a wanted man in Italy Italian heavyweights Inter Milan, Napoli, and Fiorentina, along with other unnamed Serie A sides, are reportedly keen to make Maguire the league’s next Premier League “steal.” According to TMW journalist Marco Conterio on Twitter: “Harry Maguire of Man United could land in Serie A this January, with dossiers on the table for the big clubs and beyond.” “The England centre-back is out of contract in the summer and, as gathered exclusively, several Italian sides are seriously assessing his profile. Among them are Inter, Napoli, and Fiorentina, but not only those three.” This mounting interest leaves United in a delicate position, particularly with Conterio further revealing: “The Manchester United defender has opened the door to a move to Italy.” Terrific Maguire is likely to leave, but in the summer United’s recent upheaval in the technical area, sacking Ruben Amorim, appointing Michael Carrick as caretaker, and planning to install a permanent coach in the summer, could heavily influence Maguire’s fate. A permanent manager might have been able to make a decisive call on the defender’s future. Yet with uncertainty over who will lead United next season, the former Leicester star, whom Gary Lineker once labelled “terrific,” risks becoming the biggest casualty. “I think he is underrated at times,” Lineker told RedMancunian. “I think he is better. We all know he can be caught on the turn. He is not the quickest on the turn, but he is a great competitor. He is good on the ball, terrific in both boxes, and will get you the odd goal. He has never let his country down when he has played.” Despite his reliability, Ineos may decide to move him on, refreshing the backline with a younger version of the Englishman. United could, for instance, target promising centre-backs such as Tarik Muharemovic, who is already on their radar. Winter exit unlikely That said, while Maguire appears destined to depart, a January exit remains unlikely: United are determined to keep hold of key players and have no intention of sanctioning stop-gap signings this winter. Featured image Michael Reagan via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social   Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.