Manchester United are now reportedly prepared to terminate the contract of a first-team star they signed for £80 million (R1.9 billion), and hand him a hefty payout too.
The Red Devils are on the verge of completing a relatively successful debut campaign under manager Erik ten Hag after winning their first trophy since 2016 back in March – the Carabao Cup – and clinching qualification for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League after a one-season absence from the competition.
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They are now left with a huge game against arch-rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final this Saturday, and victory over the 2022/23 Premier League champions would ruin the Citizens' treble hopes.
Once United put that cup tie behind them, they will fully turn their sights to several important issues, including Mason Greenwood's future as well as bolstering the squad, which was frequently accused of lacking depth this term.
More than a handful of players have been linked with the club as a result, including Neymar, Vinicius Junior, and Mason Mount.
However, a considerable number of exits has also been mooted, with captain Harry Maguire among those expected to depart.
Now, according to the Metro, United are prepared to pay the defender £10 million (R246 million) to leave the club at the end of the season.
The skipper has significantly lost prominence at Old Trafford and fallen down the pecking order in defence, trailing behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and even left-back Luke Shaw at times.
With just 16 starts for the club all season, the Red Devils are now said to be willing to pay out the remainder of his £190 000 (R4.6 million)-a-week contract, which runs until June 2025, to see him leave.
The report also claims that Ten Hag would not mind Maguire staying but understands that the 30-year-old needs more game time ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championship with England.
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Speaking after United's last 2022/23 Premier League game against Fulham, a seemingly defiant Maguire hinted at possibly staying on at the Theatre of Dreams despite being linked with a move to Aston Villa.
"Securing Champions League football, it's a brilliant season in the Premier League, especially at Old Trafford. It's been an amazing season at Old Trafford," the Three Lions skipper said.
"Obviously, our away form is something we've got to improve on. If we do so, we'll progress again next season. We've made giant steps and I think that's important. We've worked on the philosophy the manager is trying to bring in and I think, of course, over pre-season, we'll work again and push ourselves.
"We'll set high demands and we've got to look at this season and what we've done. For me, I think it's been great from the boys and there have been lots of individual, amazing performances but it's not done yet."
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