According to multiple reports, Manchester United have made a bid of £70 million pounds on Harry Maguire who is a teammate of Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho at Leicester City. The England international has attracted interest from Manchester United and Manchester City following an impressive season with the Foxes.
But the Red Devils have moved ahead of their arch-rivals in the race to sign the former Hull City star by making a bid for him. United are hoping to reinforce their defensive line up that conceded a whopping 54 goals in 38 premier league matches last season.
Solskjaaer wants a leader in the heart of United’s defence and has identified Maguire as the man to fill in that position. The former Cardiff manager believes Maguire can be United’s Van Dijk and that’s why the club have made a bid for him.
According to SkySports, Talks between both Manchester clubs and Leicester have been ongoing for several weeks but, as yet, a deal is still thought to be some way from being agreed. United’s chances of landing Maguire may be influenced by City defender Nicolas Otamendi, who was expected to leave the Etihad this summer for Atletico Madrid. However, he may reconsider his decision after the departure of Vincent Kompany.
Maguire is understood to be happy at Leicester and will not attempt to force a transfer, but is open to the idea of a move to one of the Premier League’s leading six sides. Leicester’s position has always been that they have no desire or need to sell and would only consider a bid in excess of the £75m world-record fee paid by Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk. However, they will welcome the prospect of two big clubs bidding against each other for one of their prized assets.
United have already signed youngsters Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Swansea and Crystal Palace respectively. The addition of Maguire would take their summer spending to almost £140m.
United have had a long-standing interest in Maguire but they backed away from a deal 12 months ago because they felt the £70m that would be needed for a transfer to be concluded was too high. Former United manager Jose Mourinho was a big fan of the England international when he was in charge at Old Trafford.
Leicester would be loathe to lose one of their key men ahead of a campaign that, with no European football to distract them, offers genuine hopes of marking Rodgers’ first full season as manager with a top-six finish.