Leicester
Forget Maguire – Two top class defenders Man United could sign instead, including £35m target
Two players Manchester United can sign instead of Leicester’s Harry Maguire
Manchester United have brought in players to bolster the squad ahead of their new campaign but Jose Mourinho must sign a central defender this summer. The likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Victor Lindelof were far too inconsistent the last time. Eric Bailly was impressive but he endured a stop-start campaign filled with injury problems.
As a result, Manchester United have been linked with Leicester City defender Harry Maguire over the last few weeks. Jose Mourinho has reportedly identified the England defender as an ideal option for the Red Devils.
The defender was impressive for both club and country over the last year. Just two years ago, Maguire was relegated with Hull City but from then on, his career has only moved on an upward scale. That said, the Foxes will not let their best defender leave so easily. The club have been playing hardball with suitors so far, slapping a £65million price tag on the player.
Harry Maguire
There’s no certainty as to whether the Red Devils can land him. Hence, it would be best for Mourinho to consider a few alternatives in case the transfer doesn’t go through. Here, we take a look at two players the Portuguese manager could sign as an alternative.
Yerry Mina
The Colombian has been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks, with the club being ready to splash £35m on the youngster. The youngster has failed to break into the Barcelona squad since making the move earlier this year. He was impressive for his country at the World Cup, however, scoring 3 goals in 3 appearances.
Yerry Mina
Due to the presence of Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, Mina has been unable to nail down a regular role at the club. The 23-year-old is a tall, strong and commanding presence at the back and he could go on and become one of the best central defenders in the near future.
Thus, Mourinho could turn to Mina if a deal for Maguire doesn’t materialize.
Toby Alderweireld
The Spurs defender was initially reported as a top target for the Red Devils, but it slowly faded away as Tottenham refused to part ways with the Belgian. He certainly won’t come cheap since the former Atletico Madrid defender is one of the most sought-after players in Europe.
Toby Alderweireld
Despite being one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, the defender was on the sidelines for a majority of the previous season due to a recurring hamstring injury. Nevertheless, Alderweireld is a rock at the back and he definitely possesses the qualities required to flourish in a team like Manchester United.
Read more: Why Man United over Chelsea could be the ideal destination for this world-class Spanish star
Given his quality and skills, Mourinho must make the move for the experienced defender who could turn them into title contenders next season.
Leicester
Leicester City Sign Araya Dennis From Tottenham on Season Long Loan as Young Winger Pursues Competitive Development Within Elite Environment
Leicester City have secured winger Araya Dennis on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, establishing young attacking talent pursuing meaningful competitive minutes supporting her developmental trajectory.
The 20-year-old England youth international’s second loan arrangement following her Southampton experience establishes measured development pathway recognising her requirement for sustained senior football exposure unavailable within Spurs’ established squad structures.
Dennis’ professional Tottenham commitment established through February 2024 combined with her limited first-team appearance record suggests genuine quality deserving sustained competitive opportunity rather than peripheral squad participation.
Her explicit recognition that Leicester’s ambitions align with her personal objectives establishes authentic institutional attachment supporting her anticipated contribution capability during her seasonal arrangement.
Young Winger Demonstrates Appropriate Championship Mindset
Dennis’ emphasis upon Leicester’s competitive trajectory supporting team rebuilding combined with her stated contribution commitment establishes purposeful engagement suggesting genuine belief in the club’s development direction. Her language indicating excitement regarding supporter engagement alongside her willingness to contribute meaningfully suggests appropriate mentality for elite-level demands transcending purely individual performance focus.
That competitive alignment combined with her expressed development ambition validates Leicester’s investment in her loan acquisition.
Strategic Loan Pathway Supports Systematic Player Development
Dennis’ Southampton loan experience combined with her current Leicester commitment establishes systematic development approach enabling varied competitive environments supporting comprehensive player development. That structured loan progression suggests Tottenham recognises genuine talent deserving consistent elite-level exposure rather than indefinite reserve squad status, indicating pragmatic development philosophy balancing player welfare with competitive opportunity.
This loan feels strategically important for Leicester’s competitive reconstruction. Rather than relying exclusively upon established performers, they invest in promising young talent bringing elite Tottenham credentials. Dennis’ England youth recognition combined with her stated championship ambitions positions her as developed prospect capable of meaningful Leicester contribution supporting their Women’s Super League rebuilding objectives throughout her anticipated loan period.
Leicester
Leicester City Sign Poppy Pritchard From Manchester City on Three Year Deal as Young Forward Completes Permanent Move Following Celtic Loan
Leicester City have secured centre-forward Poppy Pritchard from Manchester City on a permanent three year contract, establishing young attacking talent capable of delivering immediate competitive contribution during their Women’s Super League 2 campaign.
The 20-year-old England youth international arrives following her productive Celtic loan spell where she accumulated 14 competitive appearances, establishing herself as emerging prospect deserving sustained elite-level investment.
Pritchard brings genuine development trajectory through established pathways including Durham academy progression, Manchester City elite structures and multiple developmental loans, suggesting proven quality transcending purely theoretical potential. Her combination of youth profile with established competitive exposure across multiple elite environments establishes credible foundation for Leicester’s anticipated contribution expectations.
Young Striker Expresses Genuine Club Alignment and Competitive Appetite
Pritchard articulated authentic enthusiasm regarding her Leicester opportunity, specifically emphasising the club’s “high aspirations” and her desire to contribute toward winning outcomes supporting their supporter community. Her language suggests genuine belief in Leicester’s competitive project rather than viewing the move as merely career convenience, indicating confidence in their championship ambitions.
The forward’s recognition of Leicester’s supportive focus combined with her stated excitement regarding becoming team member suggests appropriate mentality for competitive integration within established squad structures.
Developmental Pathway Culminates in Permanent Elite Opportunity
Pritchard’s journey from Durham academy emergence through Manchester City elite development, subsequent Crystal Palace and Newcastle loans, Durham return and Celtic progression establishes sophisticated development trajectory culminating in permanent Leicester opportunity.
That accumulated experience across multiple competitive environments combined with her England youth recognition suggests genuine emerging talent ready for sustained elite-level contribution.
This signing feels strategically important for Leicester’s Women’s Super League 2 establishment. Rather than relying exclusively upon established performers, they invest in emerging young talent bringing proven development foundation combined with genuine competitive exposure. Pritchard’s three year commitment suggests Leicester identify genuine prospect deserving sustained long-term investment supporting their championship campaign objectives.
Everton
Everton Sign Noémie Mouchon on Free Transfer as Leicester’s WSL2 Departure Begins Reshaping Women’s Football Landscape
Everton have completed the signing of French forward Noémie Mouchon on a free transfer from Leicester City, with the 23-year-old arriving at Goodison Park following the Foxes’ relegation to Barclays WSL2 at the end of last season. Mouchon becomes Everton’s first summer signing and joins a club rebuilding after their own disappointing campaign that saw them finish eighth in the WSL.
Leicester’s drop to WSL2 represents a seismic shift in English women’s football. A club with genuine historical foundations and significant recent investment has collapsed into the second tier, and a cascade of departures like Mouchon’s will only accelerate that decline as players seek top flight football elsewhere. This is what happens when structural instability meets unforgiving economics at the elite level.
Profile and Ambitions
Mouchon spent two years at Leicester following her arrival from France, making 24 appearances across all competitions and scoring two goals. She has represented France at youth level up to and including Under 23, suggesting a player with genuine international pathway potential that Leicester could no longer offer once relegated. Her pace and goal scoring appetite are the qualities she highlighted in her unveiling statement, describing herself as someone who can make an immediate impact.
Building the Kramžar Effect
Everton also confirmed the permanent signing of Slovenian midfielder Zara Kramžar from AS Roma following the successful completion of her loan spell in the second half of last season. The club activated an obligation to purchase clause that was built into the loan agreement, bringing immediate certainty to their midfield composition heading into the new campaign.
These signings suggest Everton are attempting to move beyond their eighth place finish last season through targeted acquisitions of players who either failed to get Premier League opportunities or proved their quality in loan spells. Whether that strategy succeeds or merely papers over deeper structural problems remains to be seen.
Also read: Bristol City Sign Finland International Lotta Lindström From London City Lionesses on Permanent Deal
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