Manchester United have reportedly lodged a £70 million bid for Harry Maguire, who is also a summer target for local rivals Manchester City.
According to a report by BBC Sport, Manchester United have made their move to secure the services of Harry Maguire in this summer’s transfer window. The Leicester City defender, who is also courting interest from Manchester City, has been the subject of a £70 million by the Red Devils.
Harry Maguire has enjoyed a stunning rise to stardom over the last few years, having first burst on to the scene in the Premier League with Hull City. Since joining Leicester City in the summer of 2017, the English international has only continued his upward trajectory, winning the club’s Player of the Year at the end of the 2017-18 season.
The summer of 2018 also saw him play a leading role in England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals before piquing the interest of Manchester United. While a move eventually failed to materialise, the Red Devils have continued their pursuit of the 26-year-old, while also facing competition from bitter rivals Manchester City.
Manchester United are in dire need of central defensive reinforcements, following the struggles of the backline in the season gone by. With only Victor Lindelof managing to show some semblance of consistency in the 2018-19 season, United need a centre-back who can be an imposing figure at the back while also showing some much needed leadership at Old Trafford.
Another club who are in need of such an imposing figure at Manchester City, who need to replace the departed former captain Vincent Kompany. While it is certainly going to be difficult to adequately replace the Belgian, Maguire would still be a step in the right direction for the Premier League champions.
Recent reports had suggested that Manchester City were going to become the favourites in the race to sign Maguire. But, Manchester United seem to have made the first move in the race to sign the English international.
The report by BBC Sport claims that the Red Devils have lodged a bid worth £70 million for Maguire, who is open to the idea of leaving Leicester. The Foxes though, value their star defender even more highly, although this valuation remains unclear, according to the report.
It is also not known if Manchester City are ready to submit an offer of their own. For now, what appears to be certain is the fact that Maguire will be sold for a world record sum for a defender, with Manchester United’s £70 million unlikely to be adequate. It now remains to be seen if the 26-year-old does get a move this summer, or if he is forced to wait once again.
