Five cheap options for Man Utd to replace Harry Maguire
FT Desk
- Updated: 4 Mar 2022 09:08 GMT
- 8 min read
Few would doubt that Harry Maguire’s performances for Manchester United have been well below par this season.
So much so that some reports in England are now suggesting that the Old Trafford side could be looking to bring in a replacement to the England international.
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However, while there are a number of top-class central defenders around Europe, most would cost a similar fortune to the one Man Utd spent on Maguire not so long ago.
Instead, Ralf Rangnick and his backroom staff would be better spending their time on some cheaper options in the market this summer which would still add the necessary quality to their squad.
Manuel Akanji
The Borussia Dortmund defender has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford off the back of Rangnick’s apparent appreciation for his talents at the Westfalenstadion. However, Manuel Akanji would also be a relatively cheap signing for Man Utd this summer.
Not only is the Switzerland international only valued at €31 million and would likely see his value fall even further due to the fact that his contract expires in 2023. As such, Man Utd would have some negotiating power in their efforts to sign a player that Dortmund may be happy to sell this summer.
Caglar Soyuncu
Another defender that has flown under the radar at Old Trafford is Leicester City star Caglar Soyuncu.
The Turkey international has undoubtedly proven himself as a talented Premier League defender and at 25 years of age, he still hasn’t even begun to reach his peak years as a defender.
Like Akanji, Soyuncu’s current deal with Leicester expires next summer and could be signed for even less, with a value of €21m at the moment.
Antonio Rudiger
If Man Utd are serious about finding a proper replacement to Maguire this summer then they would do well to prioritise the signing of Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.
Not only is the Germany international arguably already better than Maguire, but with a contract that is expiring at the end of the season, the Old Trafford club could throw a huge amount of cash at him without worrying about a steep transfer fee.
Andreas Christensen
If Rudiger is already out of reach, another talented defender at Stamford Bridge that would fit the bill is Andreas Christense.
Like his German counterpart, Christensen’s contract at Chelsea is also set to expire but in the towering Dane, Man Utd could snap up a talented ball-playing defender that would slot straight into Maguire’s role in the team.
Ronald Araujo
An alternative to Premier League options may be found in Barcelona, where young defender Ronald Araujo seems to be going from strength to strength in Xavi’s side.
The 22-year-old Uruguayan will be top of Barca’s priorities in the summer, with a contract that is set to expire in 2023, but if Man Utd could turn his head towards a move to the Premier League, they may be able to snap him up for very little indeed.
