Newcastle and Tottenham are reportedly battling for the signature of Hull defender Harry Maguire.
Arsenal’s Theo Walcott clashes with Hull City’s Harry Maguire
According to The Sun, Newcastle United are desperate to land Hull City defender Harry Maguire ahead of Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
The Magpies can clinch the Championship title if they beat Barnsley and Brighton fail to win at Aston Villa, though promotion is already guaranteed regardless.
Manager Rafael Benitez’s future isn’t secure just yet, but the Spaniard will already have one eye on the summer transfer window as he looks to bring in new faces to strengthen his Newcastle squad.
Given that Grant Hanley has made little impact since joining from Blackburn Rovers last summer and Chancel Mbemba has struggled in the Championship, another centre back could be on Benitez’s radar – and The Sun claim that Newcastle are desperate to beat Tottenham to Harry Maguire’s signature.
Hull City’s Harry Maguire in action with Watford’s Troy Deeney
Hull star Maguire, 24, has enjoyed a breakout season this term, emerging into one of the Premier League’s top young defenders with a series of outstanding displays both defensively and with the ball at his feet.
The former Sheffield United youngster, who joined Hull in 2014, has performed so well that he is attracting suitors ahead of the summer transfer window – a concern for Hull, especially if they suffer relegation to the Championship.
Hull City’s Harry Maguire celebrates scoring
It’s stated that Tottenham scouts have identified Maguire as a possible transfer target after manager Mauricio Pochettino instructed them to find a new centre back, but it’s believed that they will have a tough time convincing Maguire that he would play regularly, given that Pochettino already has Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier at his disposal.
Whilst Maguire may be seen as a replacement for Kevin Wimmer at Tottenham, he could be an important signing for Benitez and Newcastle, leaving the centre back with a potentially huge decision to make this summer.
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