Chelsea are keen to discuss the possibility of signing Harry Maguire as part of a stunning swap deal with Manchester United that could see Christian Pulisic head the other way to Old Trafford, reports claim. The Blues have been actively looking to sign another central defender to play alongside Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly at the back but so far top target Wesley Fofana has proven to be out of reach with Leicester continuing to dig their heels into the ground.
Now England international Maguire has emerged as a shock target for the Blues, who are once again looking to strengthen their backline after recently splashing £63million on Brighton wing-back Marc Cucurella.
The Mail are now reporting that Chelsea have made a surprise enquiry for Maguire and the Blues would be open to signing the centre-back as part of a swap deal that could see Pulisic move in the other direction.
United have already shown firm interest in the USMNT captain and they are set to explore whether he would be available on loan in the final two weeks of the transfer window.
Now Chelsea have raised the possibility of landing Maguire and bringing him to west London as part of United’s deal for Pulisic.
The report also adds that Fofana remains Chelsea’s priority and there is still optimism the Frenchman is attainable despite Leicester already rejecting two bids.
Fofana has been left out of the Leicester squad that will face Southampton this weekend (Saturday 3pm) as he continues to push for a move to Stamford Bridge.
He is understood to be frustrated by the Foxes’ determination to keep him at the club – even though he is tied down to a long-term contract.
Chelsea are viewed as the ideal next destination for his development by Fofana as he looks to launch a late push for France’s World Cup squad for Qatar.
Brendan Rodgers remain adamant that Leicester will not be selling their central defender, although a third offer in the region of £80m could potentially swing the balance.
Maguire has had a tough time once again this season at Old Trafford after starting in both of United’s opening two defeats to Brighton and Brentford, respectively.
Erik ten Hag is expected to drop his captain for Raphael Varane when Liverpool are in town on Monday night.
The United skipper’s newly-devised partnership with £57m signing Lisandro Martinez has looked unconvincing and was ruthlessly exposed by the Bees, who put four goals past David de Gea in west London last Saturday when they cut Ten Hag’s backline to shreds.
In pre-season, Ten Hag had previously made it clear that Maguire was his first-choice centre-back but it appears that could be about to change…
“We bring him in to not strengthen the squad, but the team,” Ten Hag said of new boy Martinez. “Is Maguire a first-choice? I think he is.
“He’s proved it in the past but he also has to prove it in the present time and in the future. He has played how many times? Sixty times for England? He is a career that is really impressive and I expect a lot from him.
“But there is also internal competition and that is what a club like Man United needs.”
Ten Hag also made the decision to let Maguire keep the armband despite calls for him to elect a new captain – now his future looks unclear…
