By Betsefy
Manchester United reportedly have no interest in allowing Harry Maguire to leave the club this summer.
The 29-year-old struggled for form during the 2021-22 campaign, and he has also found it difficult at the start of the current season, with his performances against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford drawing criticism.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is allegedly considering dropping his captain for Monday’s Premier League game with Liverpool in order to bring Raphael Varane into the side.
A recent report claimed that Chelsea were showing an interest in the England centre-back, as the Blues are currently being frustrated in their pursuit of Leicester City‘s Wesley Fofana.
However, according to Sky Sports News, the 20-time English champions are not prepared to entertain any offers for the former Sheffield United youngster.
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Maguire has made 146 appearances for Man United since arriving from Leicester City in 2019, and he still has another three years left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, with the option of an additional 12 months.
There were suggestions that Ten Hag was considering changing captains for the new season, but the Dutchman has kept faith with the defender thus far.
Summer arrival Lisandro Martinez has started both of Man United’s Premier League matches this term and is expected to be in the XI against Liverpool despite being withdrawn at the break against Brentford.
Ten Hag has been reluctant to start Varane this season due to his fitness problems over the summer, but the France international impressed off the bench in the 4-0 loss to the Bees last time out.
Chelsea would allegedly only have considered making a move for Maguire if they were unable to convince Leicester to sell Fofana.
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The 21-year-old is believed to have been the subject of at least two offers from Chelsea this summer, and he was left out of the Leicester squad against Southampton on Saturday.
However, Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers has again reiterated that the Frenchman is not for sale.
“I don’t know at this stage. There have been a few offers in for some of the players but nowhere near the valuation the club would want to sell,” Rodgers told Sky Sports News on Saturday. “None of them are for sale. That is the reality of it, however, I know how the game works and how the business works, but at this moment in time there are a few weeks to go in the window.
“I don’t know what will happen but my only concentration is the players we have here and getting them back to that level of confidence and turning 60 minutes of good work into 90 minutes of good work and results.
“In terms of Wesley, just a young player who is not quite in the right frame of mind at the moment to play. A lot going on behind the scenes, which I understand. It’s a difficult moment for him. He’s a good kid, he’s been great for us whilst he’s been here and at this moment it’s a difficult one for him. You can’t afford that… certainly playing a Premier League game if you’re not 100% fully focused.”
Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the new Premier League season on Sunday, losing 3-0 at Leeds United, with Kalidou Koulibaly sent off late on for Thomas Tuchel‘s side.
