Report: Chelsea interested in Maguire if Fofana pursuit fails

Harry Maguire has emerged as a potential Chelsea signing as Thomas Tuchel tries to add another defender to his ranks.

The Blues expressed an interest in the much-maligned Manchester United captain after the ailing north-west powerhouses inquired about Christian Pulisic, according to The Guardian's Jamie Jackson.

Wesley Fofana is reportedly Chelsea's No. 1 center-back target, and the Leicester City star sat out his side's 2-1 home defeat to Southampton on Saturday due to speculation regarding his future. Chelsea have had two bids for Fofana rejected and reportedly believe it could take at least £85 million to encourage Leicester to sell Fofana.

United are adamant that Maguire isn't for sale, Jackson reports. The Yorkshireman was regularly singled out for criticism during the 2021-22 campaign as the club finished a disappointing sixth in the Premier League. He was booed on England duty in March and then again during United's preseason jaunt in Australia.

Maguire joined United from Leicester for £80 million in 2019. That sum still represents a world-record transfer fee for a defender.

Chelsea have already signed Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella to strengthen their backline this summer after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left the club following the expiration of their contracts. Another center-back would allow Reece James to feature regularly at right wing-back rather than to the right of a back-three.