The Harry Maguire move to Manchester United is not yet confirmed, but “silly season” is on and as that move comes closer, central defenders are linked and they are now up in numbers.
Brendan Rodgers has been quoted earlier to say that he have the players he likes but his recent use of players in pre-season makes us all a bit riddled, with him playing Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans against Stoke City.
The fact that neither Wes Morgan or Caglar Soyuncu were playing in that starting line-up against Stoke, and instead played Rotherham United, tells a story of a situation not really solved and that Rodgers could, if Maguire leaves, try to sign a central defender.
Lazio defender Bastos, an Angola international, and seen as a player similar to Harry Maguire, has been mentioned today as a direct replacement. So what do we know about Bastos. A quick summary, 28 years of age, contract expire in June 2021, joined in 2016, from Rostov for a fee of 5,00 Mill. €. He is not the tallest defender, 1.80m, but seen as player with flair. He has not played regularly for Lazio, only 18 league games in the previous season.
Another name that has turned up again is Lewis Dunk. The 27 year old defender has earlier been seen as the ideal replacement for Harry Maguire and today rumours again appear as Aaron Webster is close to a move to Brighton.
Both these two are players not really much better than what Brendan Rodgers have to his disposal. The fact that Soyuncu and Benkovic are much younger alternatives and with Evans and Morgan both in their 30’s, would not really see any of the two alternative players as ideal.
A pursuit to find another attacking midfielder or a flank should rather be the priority at this moment as the Harry Maguire move looks “done” one way or another by the transfer window shot. After yesterdays talk and the ongoing news on Maguire’s desire to move, it’s rather a “tug of war” regarding the price and not if the move will happen or not.
Denis Praet is one chased, for more linked players, have a look at our new fresh and updated, hot, cool and cold, list, you are welcome, interesting days coming up.
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