Is Leicester City’s Harry Maguire Tottenham’s best transfer option – for £50m?

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Premier League giants Tottenham are said to want Leicester’s Harry Maguire, Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson or Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt.

Tottenham Hotspur missed the chance to sign Harry Maguire last season, and will need to smash their transfer record to rectify that mistake.

The Mail claimed in June last year that Tottenham were not prepared to match Leicester’s £17 million bid, when Maguire was leaving Hull City after The Tigers were relegated from the Premier League.

But, one year on, The Sun (17th April, page 55) is now reporting that Tottenham have renewed their interest in a player who has gone from strength to strength in the last eight months, emerging as one of the most talented young defenders in the Premier League and a virtual shoe-in for England’s World Cup squad.

Leicester, however, are thought to want a huge fee. The report adds that The Foxes have warned suitors to start their bidding at £50 million for the 25-year-old – and have already rejected two offers worth £40 million from as yet unnamed clubs.

But that does not mean Spurs should turn their nose up at the one-time Sheffield United youngster again. Like it or not, £50 million is the going rate these days and most of the defenders already linked with a move to North London would reportedly command a similar fee – which would make paying big for Maguire rather more justifiable.

£50m well spent?

Football London claims Spurs are interested in another Ajax starlet in Matthijs de Ligt. But he is rated at £50 million despite being just 18 years of age. And, unlike Maguire, is obviously unproven in Premier League football.

Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson, meanwhile, would cost a fee in the same ballpark. And despite impressing in South Wales and recently earning his first England call up, Maguire is arguably a step above.

A mix of old-school and modern centre-half styles, Maguire is blessed with natural physicality and the technical ability many a midfielder would be proud of. There are few players around better suited to replace the seemingly outgoing Toby Alderweireld in North London.

So Spurs shouldn’t worry too much about paying £50 million one year after they could have had Maguire for £33 million cheaper.