Three ideal candidates to replace Harry Maguire at Leicester City

With a second and improved Manchester United bid for Harry Maguire imminent, who is the most suitable replacement for Leicester City?

With Filip Benkovic,  Caglar Soyuncu and a plethora of promising centre halves in the under 23s, there is no need to take a risk on a cheap, European prospect. That plan was executed last summer to good effect.

If Maguire was to leave, City would need a like for like replacement. An experienced, solid ball carrier with Premier League pedigree, who can immediately make an impact to the starting XI.

In terms of a statistical bench mark for a ball playing centre half, Maguire averaged 61.8 accurate passes per 90 minutes in the league last season, with a pass success rate of 85.6%, statistical analysis comes via WhoScored. Any incoming centre half will need to measure up to such passing precision.

All three options in this article would surely see a move to Leicester as a step up and therefore would be interested in joining, but each club will demand huge sums of money for their respective defensive talisman, especially if City have just received a world record fee.

James Tarkowski

First on the list is the most common name thrown into the mix when discussing Maguire’s replacement. James Tarkowski appeared in 35 Premier League games for Burnley last season. He is an essential figure in the Clarets’ often unbreachable defence. However, his importance to Sean Dyche’s side means that he will come at a hefty price. £40 million, if the reports are correct.

The 26-year-old, who has two senior England caps, registered a 69.5% pass completion rate this season, a good 15% lower than Maguire. However, his defensive numbers, albeit for a more conservative side, outperform his compatriot in the key areas.

Tarkowski averages 2.1 successful tackles per 90 minutes, with Maguire only 1.1, while aerials won sees the Burnley man come out on top again with 4.8 to Maguire’s 3.8 – statistics from WhoScored.

It is easy to see why Tarkowski is the favourite, but for a fee such as £40 million, there are arguably better options.