Manchester City are ready to match Manchester United’s Sh9 billion bid for Leicester City defender Harry Maguire.
United had moved ahead of their city rivals in the chase for the England defender by increasing their offer from the initial Sh8.4 billion that both clubs had indicated they would be happy to pay a fortnight ago.
But Leicester have made it clear they are not interested in selling at that price, especially after seeing United pay Sh6.5 billion for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who they feel cannot compare to Maguire in proven international quality and experience.
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Leicester’s owner, would need to personally sign off any deal for Maguire, who still has four years left on his contract and is seen as a key asset in their squad.
Maguire – along with all of the club’s other international players – was not in the group who returned to begin Leicester’s pre-season training schedule on Monday at their Belvoir Drive training complex.
It is not yet known if the England defender will join his team-mates on Sunday when they head to Évian-les-Bains for six days of training in the French Alps.
United’s chances of landing Maguire may be influenced by City defender Nicolas Otamendi, who was expected to leave the Etihad this summer for Atletico Madrid. However, he may reconsider his decision after the departure of Vincent Kompany.
Leicester’s position has always been that they have no desire or need to sell and would only consider a bid in excess of the Sh9.7 billion world-record fee paid by Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk.
However, they will welcome the prospect of two big clubs bidding against each other for one of their prized assets.
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