Everton now eyeing Harry Maguire move as Man Utd contract decision nears

Everton have now reportedly set their sights on signing an England international, who is represented by the same agent as James Garner.

Everton confirm Jack Grealish blow

It’s been one step forward and two steps back for Everton since the turn of the year. The Toffees returned to winning ways against Aston Villa for the first time in three games last time out, but have since been dealt a major injury blow.

For all the positives in that 1-0 victory at Villa Park, Everton will now be without Jack Grealish for around three months after he suffered a stress fracture in his foot.

It’s a major blow for David Moyes, who has seen Grealish become one of his main men since arriving on loan from Manchester City – so much so that a permanent deal is a possibility.

With Iliman Ndiaye returning from AFCON a champion, the best-case scenario would have been a full-strength attack for Everton, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also nearing a comeback.

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After Grealish’s ill-timed injury, however, those in Merseyside will be forced to wait until the latter stages of the campaign to have every one of their best options available.

Whether the injury sparks The Friedkin Group into life in the transfer market this month will be interesting to see. Reports have claimed that Everton were interested in Youssef En-Nesyri earlier this month, but he now looks destined to sign for Juventus.

The plan, at this stage, may be focused on the summer transfer window, when they could land an England star at a bargain price ahead of Chelsea.

Everton eyeing Harry Maguire move

According to Caught Offside’s Daily Briefing, Everton are now eyeing a move to sign Harry Maguire from Manchester United this summer. The central defender, who shares an agent with Garner, is set to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign unless he puts pen to paper on a new deal, and that hands the Toffees a tempting opportunity.

Maguire’s Man United spell has been full of ups and downs, to say the least. Yet, much like Casemiro, he’s likely to receive respect from those at Old Trafford when he bows out, be it at the end of the season or in the near future.

He’s gone from the centre of criticism and a captain stripped of his armband to a reliable leader for the Red Devils at times, and Everton would be wise to snap him up on a free deal.

As ever, though, they will face some competition in the summer. Reports have also claimed that Chelsea, West Ham United and others are eyeing Maguire’s signature – sparking an all Premier League race.

The 32-year-old, who was dubbed “outstanding” by former England boss Gareth Southgate in 2023, seems to have quite the decision to make in the coming months.