Man Utd stun Tottenham, as Ten Hag eyes surprise replacement for Maguire

Tottenham plans in the centre-back department could be torpedoed by Manchester United after Fabrizio Romano revealed who is being considered to replace Harry Maguire.

Man Utd and West Ham have struck an agreement over the transfer of Harry Maguire. The England centre-half had hoped to remain at Old Trafford, though his demotion down the ranks and England ambitions have prompted a change of heart.

West Ham have agreed to pay £30m and are currently awaiting authorisation to speak with Maguire regarding personal terms.

Maguire was no higher than fourth choice in the centre-back hierarchy at Old Trafford. However, a club like Man Utd who aim to compete on four fronts cannot afford to be caught short in such a crucial position.

As such, a replacement at centre-back is wanted and Fabrizio Romano has revealed the three players under consideration.

The first two are Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice) and Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich). However, the third will raise alarm bells at Tottenham – Edmond Tapsoba.

Spurs have already landed Ashley Phillips from Blackburn Rovers and Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg.

However, 18-year-old Phillips is viewed as more of a long-term project and manager Ange Postecoglou recently confirmed another addition at centre-back is in the works.

Speaking after the 4-2 friendly defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday, the Spurs boss said (via the Evening Standard): “Yeah potentially [signing another central defender].

“Again we’ve got to make sure that we keep the squad manageable and see what happens with outgoings, but yeah the potential is there to bring in one more.”

Front and centre in Spurs’ sights is Bayer Leverkusen’s Tapsoba. Indeed, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed contact regarding the transfer has already taken place.

Tapsoba is valued around the £50m mark and as such, a move may only be viable if Harry Kane is sold to Bayern Munich.

But with a gigantic fourth bid from Bayern coming, the Times claimed Spurs are ‘increasingly resigned’ to selling their talisman.

As such, the money could soon be there to splash out on Tapsoba, but the same can now be said for Man Utd.

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