As The Pitch Prospect has learned, Harry Maguire has decided to stay and fight for his place at Manchester United.
Former Old Trafford captain Maguire could return as a fourth centre-back following the summer signings of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt.
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However, with Yoro already out for the first three months of the season and United struggling with injury problems since the start of last season, the England star believes he will get plenty of opportunities to stake his claim for a place in the starting line-up.
The 31-year-old formed the heart of United’s defence alongside experienced Jonny Evans in their Community Shield penalty shootout defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and is expected to keep his place for Friday’s Premier League opener against Fulham.
Given Maguire’s stance on his future, Manchester United are likely to prefer extending his contract for a year rather than risk losing him as a free agent next summer.
Chilwell on the move?
Ben Chilwell is a player to keep an eye on until the end of the transfer window.
The left-back was one of the first victims of Chelsea’s managerial changes in the summer. He received little playing time in pre-season and new Blues boss Enzo Maresca openly admitted that his playing style does not suit him.
The 27-year-old England international, who attracted interest from Manchester United a few weeks ago, is understandably frustrated by the situation, as when fit he was a guaranteed starter throughout his time at Stamford Bridge.
The Pitch Prospect understands he is reviewing his options, nor is it likely that the Chelsea board will stand in Chilwell’s way if he receives a suitable offer between now and August 30.
From the club’s perspective, the situation is similar with Raheem Sterling, although sources close to the 29-year-old winger insist he is focused on performing for Maresca and Chelsea with three years left on his contract.
Palace has prevailed
Crystal Palace are ready to give defender Joachim Andersen a new contract to prevent him from becoming the next star to be poached from Selhurst Park.
Andersen’s current contract only has two years left and he has already received a £20m offer from Palace’s London rivals Fulham this transfer window.
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With their centre-back partner Marc Guehi about to move to Newcastle and Michael Olise already sold, the Eagles are keen to keep hold of Danish international Andersen.
It is assumed that the former Lyon star has also settled in well in South London.
Waiting in the Ings
West Ham are willing to let Danny Ings go on a free transfer to get his wages off the books.
The Hammers are desperate to offload Ings, who has scored just three Premier League goals in 37 games since his £15 million move from Aston Villa in January 2023.
Ings is said to have rejected a return to his old club Southampton at the start of the transfer window and his salary of around £130,000 a week represents a major obstacle to his departure.
EastEnders are also willing to allow former captain Kurt Zouma to leave the final year of his contract to clear the way for a move to the Middle East, while sporting director Tim Steidten continues to restructure the team.
Ings has moved even further down the pecking order with the signing of German striker Niclas Füllkrug from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
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