Reports | Harry Maguire snubbed Manchester City to join Manchester United
Manchester United may have broken the transfer record for Harry Maguire, but it has emerged that the former Leicester City man had rejected Manchester City to join the Red Devils. The 26-year-old was linked with a move to both sides, with the Cityzens in the lead before stepping out of the race.
In the end, Manchester United had to shell out somewhere close to £80 million for Harry Maguire, but the Red Devils got their man. He signed for them less than a week before the transfer window slammed shut after his only other suitor in Manchester City stepped out of the race. There was interest from outside England but no side ever showed the interest of even coming close to Leicester City's valuation of the center-back.
That was reportedly the main reason that Manchester City stepped out as they were not willing to break the transfer record - something Leicester City seemed very intent on doing. That left the road clear for Manchester United, although the Mirror reported that it wasn’t as simple as that. The English news outlet has gone on to say that Maguire turned down a paycheck worth £280,000 a week alongside a five-year deal to join Manchester City this summer.
The deal would have made him the highest-paid defender in the world, earning somewhere close to £70 million over five years, but the 26-year-old was keen on a move to Old Trafford. ESPN has further added that Maguire wanted to join the club he supported as a boy, albeit in a deal worth £190,000, much lower than what Manchester City offered. It does come with a six-year contract and the option to extend it further by a year.