Leicester look to replace Man Utd and Arsenal target Maguire with Tarkowski in summer transfer window
LEICESTER reportedly have a contingency plan in place should they lose defensive lynchpin Harry Maguire.
Maguire, 26, has had no shortage of interest and he was linked with a move to Manchester United last summer.
But the England giant put pen to paper on a new five-year deal with the Foxes.
SunSport exclusively revealed that Maguire could be at the centre of a four-way tug of war when the transfer window reopens.
United, Tottenham, Arsenal and – if they can get their transfer ban suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Chelsea will all be looking for a proven centre-back.
It is thought that Leicester could demand as much as £60million if they are to part company with Maguire.
And now according to the Mail on Sunday, Burnley star James Tarkowski has emerged as a defensive target if Maguire is lured away from the Midlands.
Tarkowski has grown at the Clarets and he has made over 100 appearances for Sean Dyche’s men since joining in 2016.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers is convinced that Maguire will only continue to develop if he stays at Leicester.
He said: “Harry is a top-level centre-half, let’s make that clear, there’s no doubt about that.
“But there are still areas of his game he can improve upon – absolutely there are. He has age on his side. He can get better. No question.
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“What he already has is incredible pace. And, first and foremost, he’s a defender who enjoys heading the ball.
“How many times have you heard about defenders who can’t head the ball? Harry’s not one of those.
“He can defend the box. What happens when you play for big teams is that you have to be comfortable on the ball. And he has that.”