Manchester United may looking to sell players before the deadline in 10 days’ time, but Harry Maguire won’t be one to leave before the transfer window closes.
Maguire came on for the final 10 minutes in place of Luke Shaw in United’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, though Ruben Amorim’s side put in a spirited display against the Gunners. United have been active in the market this summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, and remain keen on a central midfielder.
Carlos Baleba is the number one target for United, though Brighton are adamant that the Cameroon international won’t leave before the transfer window closes. Even so, with the transfer window closing on September 1st, United are still looking to make player sales, with Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho among those tipped to depart to help balance the books.
One player who won’t be leaving, however, is centre-back and England international Maguire, who has confirmed that United have turned down a number of enquiries for the 32-year-old in the off-season.
Advert
Harry Maguire 'not allowed' to leave MUFC
Earlier this year, United triggered an option to extend Maguire’s contract until 2026, but he has revealed that didn’t stop teams from enquiring about the defender’s availability.
“I think there were a couple of clubs who maybe enquired or spoke with them [United] and I think they got a quick response,” Maguire is quoted as saying by ESPN.
“I'm pretty sure the club have made it aware this summer that I can't leave on any terms with other clubs enquiring about things and my position with my contract. We're in a good place, positive as a club and I feel like the hierarchy has come in and Jason [Wilcox] and the manager, I feel like they're taking it in the right direction.
“I think it's been, since I started six years ago to where it is now, it's in a completely different place in terms of the structure behind the management staff.”
With his current deal now running until next summer, Maguire can start talking to clubs outside of the Premier League at the turn of the year. Maguire is not giving much away on his future but has hinted that his preference is to remain at Old Trafford, adding: “Last year, the clause was in their hands so there was no option for me there. There was no talking.
“It was just they activated it and it got extended. This year, obviously I'm up at the end of the year.
Maguire hints about United stay beyond deal
“I'm sure over the next few months they'll sit down and we'll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend or obviously the transfer window will open again in January.
“I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be. I don't want to put it out there to everybody but it's an amazing club to play for and you'd be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could.”
Maguire has started his seventh season at the club having joined from Leicester in 2019 for £80m, then a world-record fee for a defender.
Topics: Alejandro Garnacho, Football, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho, Manchester United, Premier League, Transfer News
Ben McAleer