Manchester United have reportedly dropped out of the race for their priority target Harry Maguire after being quoted a £100 million price by Leicester City.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Manchester United have decided to cede their interest in Harry Maguire for a second successive summer transfer window. The Red Devils bowed out of the race to sign the English international due to his £100 million valuation.
Harry Maguire has been on an upward trajectory for quite some time now, having won the Player of the Year for Hull City and Leicester City in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The English defender subsequently followed it up with a spectacular campaign at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The summer transfer window that followed saw him being hotly pursued by Manchester Untied, only for a move to fizzle out in the end. But, after a solid 2018-19 campaign, interest in the player has resurfaced this summer, with Manchester United and Manchester City believed to be the two clubs in his pursuit.
Manchester United are in disarray at the present moment following their worst ever Premier League campaign. Defence is understandably a priority for the Red Devils with none of the centre-backs, except Victor Lindelof, managing to present themselves as reliable figures at the back.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have been forced into the market for a central defender due to the transfer of long-serving captain Vincent Kompany. The Belgian’s departure has created a huge void at the back for the Premier League champions, one that needs to be filled with a top-class signing.
In Maguire, City would get a player who is well accustomed to the English game and has shown the requisite leadership qualities to slowly grow into the role at Etihad. And, for a long time, it was believed that Manchester City were leading Manchester United in the race to sign the 26-year-old.
Now though, Manchester United have decided to end their pursuit of Maguire altogether, and their reason makes sense. As per Daily Mirror, Leicester have slapped a £100 million price-tag, which is a long way ahead of the Red Devils’ £60 million valuation of the player.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are willing to pay £65 million to secure his services for now, although the report does not mention whether they will be prepared to shell out the aforementioned price. This valuation will include a base fee of £90 million, with the remaining £10 million being add-ons.
For now, it looks like Manchester United will not be acquiring Harry Maguire this summer either, with the club baulking at his £100 million valuation. It now remains to be seen if the Englishman leaves Leicester to join Manchester City, or if the Foxes end up retaining his services.
