Manchester United FLOP Defender Harry Maguire is set to Join Chelsea After the Club failed to renew his Contract.Harry Maguire is a surprise target for Chelsea on a FREE transfer this summer

Harry Maguire poised for Manchester United exit with Chelsea emerging as unexpected destination

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire looks increasingly certain to depart Old Trafford on a free transfer when the summer window opens, with Chelsea surprisingly positioning themselves as potential suitors.

The 32-year-old center-back is approaching the expiration of his current deal and has attracted interest from numerous clubs both domestically and internationally, as previously revealed in the Daily Briefing.

Maguire is expected to receive proposals from Premier League sides including West Ham, Everton, and Bournemouth, while Serie A clubs Napoli and Roma could also make their interest known should he opt for a move to Italy.

However, the most eyebrow-raising development comes from multiple sources indicating that Chelsea have entered the race, looking to add a seasoned presence to complement their youthful roster.

The rationale behind Chelsea’s surprising pursuit of Harry Maguire

With Maguire set to become available without a transfer fee, Chelsea appear to see considerable merit in acquiring the England international to provide them with a Thiago Silva-type figure at the heart of their defense.

The West London club has concentrated heavily on attracting promising young prospects under their present ownership structure, but they seem to have felt Silva’s absence keenly since his exit.

Silva, now 41, has returned to European football with Porto after departing Chelsea in the summer of 2024, and he remained an integral part of their defensive unit despite being in his late thirties when he moved on.

This relatively green Chelsea squad would undoubtedly benefit from someone of Maguire’s experience stepping in to fulfill a comparable role.

Inside information on Chelsea’s interest in Harry Maguire

Well-placed sources with connections to the agency world revealed: “Maguire’s availability has a lot of clubs taking a look.

“Chelsea are surprisingly open to this deal – they know they’re missing an experienced Thiago Silva-like figure at the back. It’s not necessarily the most likely outcome, but don’t rule it out.”

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will intensify their efforts to secure Maguire’s services, or whether they’ll identify an alternative target who represents a subtle shift in their recruitment philosophy.

• While some Manchester United supporters may hope to see Maguire remain at the club following his upturn in performances recently, the consensus across all parties involved suggests that scenario is improbable and that his departure this summer appears all but certain.