Manchester United have reportedly submitted an £80 million offer to swoop Harry Maguire from former Premier League champions Leicester City.
According to a report by The Independent, Manchester United have tabled an improved bid for Harry Maguire. The Red Devils have offered £80 million to secure the services of the English international, although fellow former Premier League champions Leicester City are holding out for £90 million.
By now, it is well documented that Manchester United are hot in pursuit of Harry Maguire. With defensive issues prevalent all through the 2018-19 season, it had become plainly clear that bolstering the heart of their defence had to be a priority for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heading into the summer transfer window.
Victor Lindelof has been the only centre-back who has been able to perform with any semblance of consistency over the last year or so. With the rest of the central defenders posing some issue or the other, making reinforcements for the problem area makes sense for Manchester United.
As a result, Maguire has been the subject of their interest for much of the summer transfer window. But, in recent weeks, Manchester United have struggled to reach an agreement with Leicester City for their star defender, who is reportedly keen on leaving the former Premier League champions.
Maguire has been on a consistently upward trajectory since enjoying a solid maiden Premier League campaign with Hull City in the 2016-17 season. Since then, the English international has been a key figure for both club and country, winning his club’s Player of the Year twice in the last three seasons.
Manchester United had been heavily linked with the 26-year-old last summer as well before a move failed to materialise. This summer, however, the Red Devils seem to have made positive moves in pursuit of the player. And, as per recent reports, they have been closing in on his capture.
United have even been backed Maguire to succeed at Old Trafford by club legend Wayne Rooney. But, the fact that Leicester have bumped up their asking price has been throwing a spanner in their works. Manchester United though, are prepared to break the world record transfer fee for a defender, having lodged an £80 million bid for Maguire.
The news of this offer was first broken by Kaveh Solhekol on The Transfer Show and the news has since been corroborated by various outlets. Leicester City, however, are firmly holding out on their £90 million valuation of the Englishman, with Brendan Rodgers insisting that their asking price is yet to be met.
It now remains to be seen if Manchester United can do anything to reach an agreement with Leicester over a deal for Maguire, with just one week remaining for the transfer window to slam shut. For now, they are hoping the Foxes compromise on their valuation, after submitting an £80 million offer.
