Inter Milan have made enquiries about signing Harry Maguire as they prepare for the exit of Milan Skriniar.
The Italian club are looking to bring in the Manchester United centre-half on loan for the remainder of the year, but he wants to wait until the summer before he reviews his options. Inter know they will lose Skriniar, who has been a key performer, with the Slovakian due to join PSG when his contract expires.
It will leave a hole in their defence amid reports PSG are willing to pay €20m to acquire the defender six months early. Maguire's stock in mainland Europe remains high with his reputation enhanced by his performances for England at the World Cup in Qatar, reports the Daily Mail.
The defender, who has previously been a mainstay at Old Trafford, has slipped down the pecking order following the arrival of Lisandro Martinez, who has formed a partnership with Raphael Varane. Maguire is prepared to be patient as he looks to force his way back into starting contention.
He will weigh up what to do in the summer, though, if his situation in Manchester has not changed. Inter do have several defenders at their disposal, but the imminent departure of Skriniar will leave a notable hole in their backline.
Maguire has made it clear he doesn't want to be a squad player, having long been a regular at United and his previous clubs. He said recently: "I'm 29 and haven't really been in this position in my career before. I don't want to get used to it but it is part and parcel of football.
"I’m pushing, training well, and when chance comes, I need to take it. The lads who have been playing have been doing well. I have to be ready when my chance comes."
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The centre-half did return to the starting XI for Saturday's win over Reading. Erik ten Hag claimed the defender returned from the World Cup without being fully fit, but underlined the role he had to play for the Red Devils going forward.
He told ITV: "We have to be ready that is why we have a strong selection. Harry [Maguire] is back. I already said yesterday [in the pre-match press conference] he was ill when he returned from the World Cup, otherwise, he should have played a couple of games. But you have to play to get back into the rhythm.
"He did already play some games, but I think this is a good game for him to return in, especially when you see the height of the opponent. He had some chances. But every player has to pick their chances. He is training very well, training very dominant. And that is what I want to see from him. He is a leader and captain and I have big expectations of him.
"[But] it’s not just about Harry. As a team, we want to achieve, we want to achieve a result this season. We need a squad. So every player has to make a performance, has to give the best he has."
