Man United will try to 'find a new club' in January for star who has dropped by £65 million in value

Manchester United are considering their options ahead of the January transfer window and there could be some exits on the cards. The summer saw a number of departures including fringe players and first team stars but it doesn’t look like the Red Devils are done clearing out their squad.

Several players still at Old Trafford had been linked with summer sales and Harry Maguire was one of the main names on the rumour mill. The centre-back was on the radar of West Ham United for quite some time and were eager to bring him in to bolster their backline. Both loan and permanent offers were initially rejected by United before a £30 million fee was finally agreed.

However, the move collapsed as Maguire could not agree pay-off terms with United. The 31-year-old reportedly wanted to be paid in the region of £7 million to leave Old Trafford, due to being faced with a ‘significant salary reduction’ by taking a move.

While Maguire did not make a move during the summer, he has struggled to hold a regular position under Erik ten Hag, making just two Premier League starts so far. His current situation is becoming a difficult one for United, as his contract is due to expire at the end of the season but United ‘are desperate’ not to let him leave for free.

That’s according to Football Insider, who has reported that while the Reds have the option to extend his deal by another 12 months, they want to avoid that and will instead ‘try to find a new club’ for him in January.

United signed Maguire from Leicester City in 2019 for a then record fee of £80 million, eclipsing the previous world record for a defender set by Virgil van Dijk’s move to Liverpool the year prior.

The United man is now valued at just €18 million (£15m) by Transfermarkt, and once the new year rolls in, clubs will be looking to pay in that region or even less, due his expiring contract.

After failing to finalise a summer move, United’s hands are now tied regarding Maguire’s exit. If they do not want to activate his 12 month extension, they will be forced to accept whatever they can get in January or run the risk of him leaving for free at the end of the season.