Manchester United weighing up contract extension for defender

Harry Maguire’s Manchester United career could soon reach its conclusion with his contract set to expire in June. According to reports from Express, Saudi Pro League sides Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq are closely monitoring the defender’s situation.

The England international, who turns 33 in March, will be free to negotiate with other clubs when the transfer window opens. United retain the option of triggering a one-year extension, yet early suggestions indicate the club are unlikely to take that path. This leaves Maguire on the brink of a significant career decision, one that could define the final years of his playing days.

Maguire has been at Old Trafford since 2019, having joined from Leicester City for £80 million. His time at the club has been one of scrutiny, leadership responsibilities and periods of resilience. Now, with interest arriving from abroad, the prospect of a new chapter looks increasingly realistic.

The financial lure of Saudi football cannot be underestimated. Clubs have continued to invest heavily in experienced European players, offering salaries that reflect their ambition to build a league of global repute. For Maguire, a move would not only provide a lucrative contract but also the chance to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

It is understood that if Maguire chooses to make the switch, he could command substantial wages, likely exceeding anything on offer at United. At his age, and with limited time left at the top level, such an opportunity might prove difficult to reject.

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Despite mounting speculation, Maguire recently suggested his preference is to remain at Old Trafford. Speaking earlier this year, he said: “We’re in a good place, positive as a club and I feel like the hierarchy has come in and Jason [Wilcox] and the manager, I feel like they’re taking it in the right direction. I think it’s been, since I started six years ago to where it is now, it’s in a completely different place in terms of the structure behind the management staff.”

He continued: “Last year, the [contract] clause was in their hands so there was no option for me there. There was no talking, it was just they activated it and it got extended. This year, obviously I’m up at the end of the year. I’m sure over the next few months they’ll sit down and we’ll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend or obviously the transfer window will open again in January.”

His words reflect a player who still values the club deeply but recognises the crossroads he is approaching. “I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be. I don’t want to put it out there to everybody but it’s an amazing club to play for and you’d be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could.”

While financial considerations are significant, Maguire’s England career also looms large. He has 68 caps to his name and is hopeful of making Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. A move to Saudi Arabia could raise questions about his international prospects, with competition for places already fierce.

United, meanwhile, face their own internal debate. Extending his deal would maintain a level of defensive stability, yet it also risks committing resources to a player entering the latter stages of his career. The club’s decision will likely depend on their recruitment plans and the direction the new hierarchy wishes to pursue.

From a Manchester United fan perspective, Maguire’s potential exit feels like the closing of a complicated chapter. Signed for a record fee, he was meant to be the cornerstone of United’s defence. While he has often been criticised, his professionalism has rarely been in doubt. The idea of him leaving on a free transfer, however, is a reminder of the poor squad management that has haunted United for years.

Fans would recognise the financial temptation of a Saudi move. At 33, Maguire has limited time to secure a high-value contract and the chance to play alongside Ronaldo again may well appeal to him on a personal level. Yet many supporters will ask whether such a switch could harm his England career, especially when World Cup selection is on the line.

If United choose not to extend his contract, it should be part of a broader plan to refresh the defence rather than another reactive measure. Supporters will want clarity on replacements and assurance that lessons have been learned from past transfer mistakes.

In truth, a Saudi move feels plausible but not inevitable. If Maguire sees himself as still capable of competing in Europe, perhaps at a mid-table Premier League club or abroad in Italy or Spain, then many fans would respect that ambition. However, if his time at United does end, most will simply wish him well, acknowledging that he endured criticism with dignity while never hiding from responsibility.