Manchester United have been asked about the availability of Harry Maguire by a Champions League club, setting up a potential dramatic late twist in the January transfer window.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, whose report indicates that Maguire’s future could yet come into immediate question despite it seeming more likely that he would be staying at the club until the end of the season.

Despite being Man Utd captain, Maguire is not a regular starter for the club anymore. In his position of centre-back, the preferred partnership includes Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

Therefore, other clubs have been wondering if they could give Maguire a platform from which to revive his career. However, Erik ten Hag has been keen to keep the England international.

That might not stop other suitors trying their luck. According to the Daily Mail, Inter Milan have now made an enquiry to Man Utd about Maguire.

The Serie A side, who are in the Champions League round of 16 this season, are about to lose Milan Skriniar to Paris Saint-Germain. With that in mind, they need to reinvest in their defence.

Recent reports have suggested Victor Lindelof has been on their shortlist. But now, they seem to be eyeing his Man Utd colleague, Maguire.

The Daily Mail makes it clear that Maguire still has a good reputation in Europe because he generally performs well on the international stage with England. Therefore, clubs on the continent might not be put off by his inconsistent form at club level in recent months.

Inter have frequently offered escape routes to Man Utd players in recent years. For example, they signed the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young from them.

Furthermore, their current squad includes other ex-Man Utd players, like Matteo Darmian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Maguire could be in line to end up at San Siro too. However, a deal remains difficult to pull off before the January transfer deadline on Tuesday. The Serie A window will close at 7pm UK time, which is earlier than the Premier League’s timing of 11pm.

Hence, Inter might have a race against time to bring in Maguire this month. A deal may be something they can revisit in the summer transfer window, though.

Inter might be good next step for Harry Maguire

Man Utd still have Harry Maguire under contract until 2025 with the option to extend into 2026. He doesn’t want to be a bench player for all that time, so might have to consider an exit.

Inter would be a good standard of club for him to move to. They could offer him Champions League involvement and are competing for domestic honours in Italy.

Maguire might be able to take confidence from the way Chris Smalling – the man he effectively pushed out when he signed for Man Utd – has resurrected his own career in Italy with Roma, whom he joined at a similar age.

Although Maguire has never played abroad, it could be the kind of new challenge he needs to prove his doubters wrong again. He could escape the intense scrutiny he has faced in England, while still ending up at a big club where there will be a big focus on his defending.

Inter have generally been lining up with a back three as well, which may be more similar to the systems Maguire has done better in with his national team.

It could be a good destination for him, but moving in January still seems unlikely. If this is to be the final six months of his Man Utd career before a potential summer move, though, he will hope to go out on a high note.

As things stand, he is on standby to step in and take his chance if any other Man Utd defenders pick up injuries or suspensions. Beyond this season, though, he could become a busier player elsewhere.

READ MORE: Man Utd complete second striker signing with deal agreed for Chelsea target, but key rule prevents immediate arrival

The article Harry Maguire: Man Utd receive astonishing approach from Champions League contenders over late loan deal appeared first on Teamtalk.com.