Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City‘s interest in Harry Maguire. The Foxes star was linked with a switch to Eithad this summer but nothing happened after Leicester City demanded over £75 million.
The English defender is on the verge of joining Manchester United for a world-record fee for a defender. He has completed his medical today and will be unveiled by the Red Devils in the next 24 hours.
Talking to the media after the Community Shield win over Liverpool, Guardiola said:
“Maguire is an excellent, top-class player. We were interested but we could not afford it. United could afford it.”
“He had an incredible World Cup, he’s strong in the air, he’s good with the ball in the build-up, he can drive the ball, he’s fast, so fast. Congratulations to United.”
“At the beginning of the season, I think there are five, six contenders [for the title]. It doesn’t matter what happened in the last four, five years [with United]. Always, at the beginning [of the season] they are contenders”
Both Manchester sides were desperate to sign Maguire this summer but only the Red Devils were making bids for him. The Foxes star was open to joining both clubs and waited for Leicester to accept the bid before making a decision.
As City did not make a move after knowing of the fee, Manchester United were free to snap him up and they have done it after weeks of negotiations.