Maguire: I respect Leicester’s decision not to sell me
Leicester City defender Harry Maguire has confirmed there was interest from other clubs in him after his impressive performances at the World Cup.
TalkSPORT report the Maguire was told by the club that he was not for sale, after reported bids from Manchester United worth up to £75m.
The 25-year-old felt he ‘owed it’ to the club to respect the decision and concentrate on his football after they bought him from relegated Hull City last summer.
Maguire has become somewhat of a cult hero amongst English fans after his role in the country’s journey to the semi-finals in Russia.
His powerful header to get the ball rolling against Sweden in the quarter-finals will stick long in the memory, but his partnership with John Stones in the back-four was key to the team’s success under Gareth Southgate.
On the transfer speculation, Maguire said:
If we were successful at the World Cup, as we were, there were always going to be players who came under interest – that is part and parcel of the game. I spoke with Leicester after a bit of interest from clubs, they reiterated that I wasn’t for sale and I respected that decision.
They gave me an opportunity to play in the Premier League when I had just been relegated with Hull. They gave me the platform to play at the World Cup, so I feel I owe them and I respect that decision.
Maguire has continued his form into the current campaign, scoring a stoppage-time winner against Southampton and keeping out Wolves at home.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United or any other club will return for the player in January.