Harry Maguire and the Leicester City hierarchy had a gentleman’s agreement that would allow him to leave if the club received a fair offer.
The Premier League club appear determined to make Maguire the most expensive defender in the world by asking for £90million, though the player is thought to be unhappy that several offers from Manchester United have already been rejected, including one worth more than £70m.
The Times write an agreement struck between player and their late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha last year complicates the protracted transfer and it is unclear whether Leicester are willing to honour that agreement.
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The England international has returned to training after a brief illness and is available to play in his club’s final pre-season friendly, against Atlanta, at the King Power Stadium.
“The player has been first class with his attitude in his training,” manager Brendan Rodgers said, adding: “The club hasn’t changed its stance in terms of the valuation for the player.”
Virgil van Dijk is currently the most expensive defender, with Liverpool signing him from Southampton for £75m in January and former England manager Sam Allardyce believes Maguire would greatly improve at Man United, just like Van Dijk has done at Anfield.
“He’s similar to Van Dijk, he’s very good on the ball and he comes out from the back,” he told talkSPORT.
“Van Dijk looks a little better since he’s gone to Liverpool and I think it would take Maguire to another level going to Manchester United and bring more out of him.
“It would be a massive move for him, but Leicester, they don’t have to sell.
“They’ve always hung out for the fee they want and got there in the end, so if United don’t have another alternative, I’m afraid they might have to pay a bit more than they expected.”