United told to pay £90m to land Maguire
Leicester want record fee to sell centre-back Rodgers close to signing Newcastle forward Perez
Manchester United will have to pay more than £90 million for Harry Maguire, making him the most expensive defender of all time, if they are to complete the deal with Leicester City this summer.
United’s top offer since the end of the season remains £60 million and Leicester are adamant that, while every player has a price, no offers below £90million will be entertained.
Leicester made their stance clear to both Manchester United and Manchester City in May and are determined to stick with their valuation, with the £75million sale of Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool in January 2018 being used as a benchmark. Brendan Rodgers, the Leicester manager, is embarking on his own rebuilding campaign and last night was closing in on the signing of Newcastle United forwad Ayoze Perez.
Maguire is still to return for pre-season, having been granted a week’s longer holiday than most of the Leicester squad follow ing his extended service at the end of last season with England at the Nations League in Portugal.
Manchester City have also been interested in Maguire in the past, but not at the price Leicester have been quoting. It has been suggested that Maguire has expressed a desire to move, but Leicester have received no direct indications from the 26-year-old over his intentions while he has been on holiday.
The club were bemused by reports yesterday that another, more recent offer had been made for the player by United as there has been no contact in recent weeks.
Were United to get close to the valuation, Maguire’s replacement would have to be identified before Leicester are prepared to let him go and, given the current market for centre-halves across Europe, that is likely to be a major investment.
Last summer, Leicester persuaded Manchester City to pay £60million for Riyad Mahrez and they are adopting a similar position again. It is understood that an acceptable fee for Maguire could even be close to £100million.
If United come close to valuation Leicester would not let him go until new player is found
The matter will have to be resolved in the coming weeks when Maguire returns to training. He is one of a number of players who have been pursued as a boot endorsee by the German sportswear company Puma, which has also taken over as City’s kit supplier. Should he switch boot manufacturer, it is possible that there would be a bonus for joining a club with the same kit supplier.
Maguire was a target for United last season during Jose Mourinho’s time in charge, but ended up signing a new £75,000-a-week contract with Leicester.
He joined Leicester from Hull City for £17million two years ago, since when he has made 76 appearances and scored five times. He has 20 caps for England.
United have already signed right-back Aaron Wan-bissaka from Crystal Palace in a deal rising to £50million, while they are keen on Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.