England international Harry Maguire is reportedly on Manchester United’s summer transfer wishlist, following his exploits in the World Cup.
Manchester United are prepared to splash the cash to land Leicester City defender Harry Maguire this summer, who is valued at £65 million by the Foxes, as per reports from the Sun.
Maguire, who joined Leicester only last summer, in a £17 million deal from then-relegated club Hull City, has seen his transfer value triple since, following a highly impressive year for both club and country.
The 25-year old made 44 appearances across all competitions for the Foxes in his debut campaign, netting two times and setting up three more in the process. He did not miss a single minute of Premier League football for Leicester, establishing himself as an integral part of Claude Puel’s side that finished ninth in the 2017-18 campaign.
Maguire’s reliable displays in the heart of the defence saw him earn a call-up to England’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. And the centre-half further enhanced his burgeoning reputation, emerging as one of the Three Lions’ best players in the tournament, as they finished in the fourth spot. He appeared in all of England’s seven games, scoring his first ever international goal against Sweden in the quarterfinal.
Manchester United’s interest in the 25-year old stems from the fact that manager Jose Mourinho isn’t entirely convinced with the defensive options currently at his disposal. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, both of whom are behind Maguire in the pecking order for the national team, have been consistently inconsistent for the Red Devils, while Eric Bailly also found himself in Jose’s bad books towards the end of the last season.
Marcos Rojo spent a large chunk of the season out on the treatment tables and had a World Cup to forget, whereas Victor Lindelof too struggled to adapt in his first term in England. However, there is some hope for the Swede, after a solid World Cup campaign.
As things stand though, United could do with beefing up their defensive personnel and Maguire seems like the perfect choice to bolster the ranks. The 25-year old has proven himself to be one of the best in his position in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons. And his performances in the World Cup were an indicator of the fact that he is unfazed in the face of pressure and relishes the big occasions.
It will not be easy for the Mancunians to get their man though, as Leicester are not willing to lose their prized asset without a fight. The Foxes are reportedly set to offer Maguire a new contract worth £75,000-per-week in order convince the defender to stay put at the King Power Stadium.
However, should Manchester United meet Leicester’s asking price of £65 million, Maguire will become the second most expensive defender in the world, only behind Virgil van Dijk who cost Liverpool £75 million, when they signed him from Southampton in January. He will also become the most expensive English defender, eclipsing international teammate and Manchester City star Kyle Walker.
