Peter Henry
Manchester United are set to make a £50 million bid for Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire according to reports.
Gareth Southgate’s England side has been full of stars in Russia this summer on their superb run to the World Cup semi-final, although few have shown brighter than the 25-year-old defender.
Maguire has impressed with his no-nonsense defending, ability to play out from the back and devastating aerial prowess from set pieces.
According to the Daily Mail, United are now set to offer Leicester £50 million for the England international, although the Foxes Thai owners are said to be determined to keep him at the King Power.
Maguire has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence, as he was struggling to get a game for Hull City just a couple of seasons ago.
However, after impressing for the Tigers under current Everton boss Marco Silva, he secured a £17 million move to Leicester last summer, and his impressive form for the 2015/16 Premier League Champions saw him force his way into England’s World Cup squad, where he has continued to go from strength-to-strength.
The report also suggests that one of the main reasons Gareth Southgate has made Maguire a regular starter in his side is due to his mental strength – something that is essential if a player is to succeed under the pressure of playing for a club the size of Manchester United.
If Maguire does move to Old Trafford it may well end the United careers of fellow England internationals Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.