According to Metro, Chelsea are gearing up to buy Sheffield United prodigy Harry Maguire. The 20-year old defender has made quite an impression on the biggest teams in England, many of which will reportedly compete against Chelsea for his signature.

Jose Mourinho is always active in the transfer market, and Maguire’s progress has commanded the attention of the Chelsea scouts this season. The 6 ft 4 inch in centre half came through the junior ranks with the Blades, and has already played 119 matches for Sheffield at the tender age of 20, scoring a decent 9 goals. Even though the Blues signed defender Kurt Zouma from St. Etienne in the recently concluded January window, Maguire could very well be purchased in the summer for more reasons than one.

With John Terry in the last years of his Chelsea career, Maguire could be the perfect long-term, like-for-like replacement. Also, with the new Premier League regulations demanding more English players in the squad, Maguire could be a central defensive partner under the leadership of compatriot Gary Cahill, who has now established himself as a regular central defender in Mourinho’s team. The fee being reported for Maguire is in the region of £5 million, which should not be a barrier in Chelsea’s quest to sign the England under-21 youngster.