What is really happening with Harry Maguire and Manchester United?
Well, claims which appeared on Sunday via The Independent that a Maguire deal was imminent, appear unfounded.
It came a week after The Sun‘s botched ‘Exclusive’ that Maguire was due at United for a medical.
Right now it’s uncertain if we will get Maguire at all.
He’s carrying on
Last night he was in action for Leicester, in their starting line-up in a friendly game against Cambridge United.
Maguire scored a powerful header, to which he gave a thumbs up to fans in celebration, who had been chanting for him to stay.
He sent a message after the game, giving little away.
The fact he was playing in the game at all told it’s own story about the status of United’s move.
Money talks
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said after the game that no transfer deal for Maguire was close.
He told The Mirror: “The club is in a great state of health because there’s no pressure to sell any player. And if a player does leave Leicester City, the valuation will have to be met
“We have a top level player, looked at by top level clubs. I respect that because I understand why they would, but there’s been no offer near to our valuation that that would even make us have a look.”
It could just be posturing, but at face value, it appears United have made no progress.
What’s next?
United could theoretically meet Leicester’s £80-90 million asking price today and hurry the deal along. But our actions so far suggest this to be unlikely.
The Telegraph reported yesterday that United are ready to pursue alternatives if there is no breakthrough.
There is said to be no interest in Toby Alderweireld, who has a £25 million release clause which expires tomorrow.
Instead possible options are Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, or Benfica ace Ruben Dias.
The Maguire chase could obviously still go either way, but after last night’s developments, there’s less reason to be as optimistic as previously.
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