Manchester United have £70m Harry Maguire bid rejected - reports

Manchester United have offered £70m for center back Harry Maguire, according to Sky Sports, who also report that the bid has been rejected by Leicester City. The English international was first linked to United last summer, as former manager José Mourinho was a confirmed admirer. It was widely publicised that the proposed move was dismissed out of hand by chief executive Ed Woodward for being expensive and unnecessary, much to Mourinho’s chagrin. Something has clearly changed since then, as Woodward now appears to have sanctioned what would be a club record fee for a defender.

Maguire has most frequently been linked with rivals Manchester City this summer, so the reports of United being in negotiations for some time comes as something of a surprise. According to Sky Sports, United had an earlier bid of £65m rejected weeks ago, and Leicester are under no pressure to sell their prized asset.

“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 £75m world-record fee paid by Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk.”

Maguire is a fine player with proven quality in the Premier League, who would be an immediate upgrade on any of United’s center backs. He is good in the air, and — despite his unfortunate-looking head — actually adept with the ball at his feet. What he lacks in pace could also be partially offset by partnering him with Victor Lindelöf.

What do you think, readers? Good signing? Or another overpriced player who lacks top-class quality? Let us know in the comments below.