HARRY MAGUIRE’S PROPOSED move to Manchester City “could be like Virgil van Dijk’s to Liverpool”, claims a former Leicester team-mate.
A big-money switch to the Premier League champions continues to be mooted for the England international defender.
City are in the market for a new centre-half after seeing Vincent Kompany depart. With his leadership qualities gone, Pep Guardiola is eager to bring in another commanding presence at the heart of his back four.
Maguire, at just 26 years of age, would be a long-term option to fill that void at the Etihad Stadium. Spanish midfielder Vincent Iborra believes the former Sheffield United and Hull City man could be the perfect choice, with it possible that he could make a similar impact with the Blues as £75 million star Van Dijk has with Champions League winners Liverpool.
A Spaniard who spent 18 months alongside Maguire at the King Power Stadium told Radio Marca of Maguire: “He is a great player.
He’s very powerful, with good balance, great at bringing the ball out and he can score goals.
“He had a great World Cup and is a super footballer. “His transfer to Manchester City could be like Van Dijk’s to Liverpool.”
Van Dijk made an immediate impact at Anfield following a record-breaking transfer in the winter window of 2018. Liverpool were in need of inspiration at the back, and found it in the form of a Netherlands international.
City do not have such sizeable leaks to plug, with the likes of Aymeric Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi already on their books. Guardiola is, however, keen to ensure that the collective standard in his treble-winning squad does not drop.
Maguire may well be the man that he turns to in a bid to keep things watertight. He will, however, have to dig deep if a deal is to be done, and potentially fend off interest from arch-rivals Manchester United.
It has been suggested that the world record for a defender currently held by Van Dijk will need to be smashed in order to prise Maguire away from Leicester, with it being reported that the Foxes are demanding around £100m for a prized asset tied to a long-term contract.
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Not even close!!!
Except if Van Dijk is turned he has the pace to recover and also turns faster than a JCB in the first place. If Maguire goes to City I can see him being punished on the break. Also if he was the exact same player only Irish theres not a hope this figure would be paid for him and he probably wouldn’t have even got to Leicester.
@Hugh Jass: I don’t know what Maguire you’re taking about, but this lad bossed City’s attack a few weeks back and had no problem running up the wing with the ball , skipping past opposition wingers and defenders and putting in a fairly decent cross for a CB… and don’t say that’s just one game !!! Its my opinion he has the same attributes as Ramos in that he’s powerful, good in the air, can run with the ball and is a danger in the box for any defending team…..
There is similarities in their play tbf. Van dyke is better but I do rate Maguire and we would see what he can do at a better team. Time would tell.
@Seaniecp: Agree, and I do think he would be a great addition to the Utd team.
@Logan Shepherd: not for 100m
@Ich bin brendan: Definitely not. He’s not worth half that. But at the right money he is better than Utd’s current CB options. In my opinion anyway.
@Ich bin brendan: I wouldn’t believe fees that are being tossed around in the media or on social networks. He other day sky reported that but city and Utd would pay 65m for him … then you here 100m then 100m plus addons etc from other sources
Decent player but overacted by English media.
What is he smoking
Ha,ha,ha.
Hilarious
Hey 42 I think that’s just a picture Tody Leonard Moore in a Leicester jersey
A big lump