Before the opening of the winter transfer window, where the Red Devils have planned to strengthen, Manchester United have identified their new priority.
Manchester United are already fully focused on the next winter transfer window. The Red Devils have already chosen a £44m midfielder for a January arrival with Brazilian Joao Gomes. The Mancunian club are also searching for attacking reinforcement and are monitoring the Antoine Semenyo case.
But before the transfer window, the English giants have defined a new priority. According to information from TeamTalk, Harry Maguire's contract situation is being taken very seriously by the Premier League side's directors. Whilst the English centre-back is out of contract at the end of the season, his extension is now described as vital.
Manchester United want to extend Harry Maguire
His leadership status and defensive performances make him an element that Manchester United do not want to see leave, and even less so for free next summer. If the Red Devils plan to sign a new centre-back next summer, it will not be to replace the 32-year-old.
The latter, who was absent on Monday evening during the defeat against Everton (0-1), has played nine matches this season, including five as a starter, for two goals and one assist. These are not the statistics of an undisputed starter, but the Englishman's influence is deemed indispensable.
Maguire and Casemiro must lower their salaries
Thus, according to the same source, Manchester United will propose a contract extension shortly to Harry Maguire and a positive outcome is expected in this case. And this, despite the Red Devils' desire to lower his wages. The England international has a salary – just over €11m per year (£9.4m), according to Capology – deemed high by management.
The English giants wish to implement a new, more measured salary structure. Thus, the major attacking reinforcements signed this summer, namely Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, do not earn more than €11m per year (£9.4m). It should be noted that Maguire's situation is identical to that of Casemiro, who will have to drastically lower his salary (approximately €20m per year/£17.1m) to extend with the Red Devils.
This article was originally published on Top Mercato.
