Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce plotting surprise move for Manchester United star but faces competition from Besiktas - Reports
According to Todofichajes, Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce are interested in signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire. However, they are set to face competition from fellow Turkish club Besiktas.
Maguire played his final game of the 2023-24 season against Crystal Palace on May 5. He suffered a muscular injury in that game and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the season as well as Euro 2024.
Erik ten Hag is reportedly not interested in keeping the English defender at the club next season and the Red Devils are reportedly pursuing former Ajax star Matthis de Ligt. As a result, Maguire looks set to be sold but there's no offer on the table despite West Ham United touted as a potentially interested party.
Fenerbahce are understood to be interested in the former Manchester United captain. They could face competition from Besiktas, who are also looking to bolster their defense in the transfer market.
Maguire joined the Red Devils for a record £80 million in 2019. He has since made 206 appearances for the Old Trafford club but has fallen down the pecking order under Ten Hag.
Last season, the Englishman played 31 games, starting 25 of those. He is contracted with the Red Devils until the end of the 2024-25 season and is valued at €18 million by Transfermarkt.
Jose Mourinho once lauded Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt
Manchester United are reportedly seriously interested in Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt. Mourinho gave the Dutch defender high praise after facing him in the 2016-17 Europa League final with the Red Devils.
De Ligt, the youngest debutant in the history of the Netherlands national team, impressed the Portuguese coach with his quality, who said in 2019 (via GiveMeSport):
"We played against De Ligt two years ago and he already seemed like a 26-yeear-old, much more experienced than he was. Physically, he is very strong. Now, two years later, he is genuinely a fantastic football player."
De Ligt, since leaving Ajax, has played for Juventus before moving to Bavaria. He is contracted with Bayern until the end of the 2026-27 season and has an estimated market value of €65 million.