Reliable journalist confirms ‘white smoke’ is close for record Man Utd deal

Oli Fisher

Manchester United have practically closed the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City, according to a reliable Italian journalist.

United were understood desperate to land Maguire before the August 8 transfer deadline, with the centre-half having become ‘frustrated’ at the move being blocked.

Leicester though were more than happy to play hardball in negotiations and held out for a fee of closer to £80m, which would represent a world record deal for a defender, trumping the £75m it took Liverpool to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2018.

Recent reports have suggested that there are complications over clauses in the deal which is proving to be a big hold up, with Brendan Rodgers having a say in the structure of any potential deal.

However, Sky Sports News provided a big boost for United fans’ hopes on Monday as they revealed that Maguire did not train with the Foxes on Monday amid the constant speculation surrounding his future.

They add that Maguire ‘has told Leicester he wants to leave before the window shuts on August 8’, but that ‘United are still short of their £80m valuation’.

Now, Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed that the player’s will ‘is being respected’ by Leicester and that the ‘white smoke is close’ for a completed deal.

 

Get the latest personalised Red Devils products on our new TEAMtalk Man Utd shop!