HARRY UP Man City will have to break £75m world record transfer fee to sign Leicester’s Maguire who they rate higher than Ajax’s De Ligt
England centre-half Maguire is wanted to replace Vincent Kompany - who is joining Anderlecht as player-boss
Posted Friday, May 24, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk
PEP GUARDIOLA is caught up in a transfer frenzy as he looks to replace Vincent Kompany with Harry Maguire.
Manchester City’s boss wants to sign the Leicester ace - but has been told it will take a staggering £90million fee.
Harry Maguire has been with Leicester since he joined from Hull in 2017
Abu Dhabi-backed City are also chasing Atletico Madrid’s Rodri and may go for Benfica’s Joao Felix if they offload Leroy Sane. Guardiola is keen to freshen up his domestic Treble winners as City bid to become Europe’s No 1 club.
England centre-half Maguire is wanted to replace the Belgian defender, who is joining Anderlecht as player-boss.
But they will need to beat the £75m Liverpool spent on Virgil van Dijk — the world-record fee for a defender — to land him.
Maguire, 26, has four years left on his Leicester deal and the Foxes will only let him go for a huge price.
City need to replace Kompany in the backline and could also lose Nicolas Otamendi, who is tipped to leave with Atletico Madrid lurking.
Boss Guardiola was impressed with Maguire and his ability in possession during City’s win over Leicester at the Etihad.
The Prem champs are also in the market for a defensive midfielder, with Rodri their main target.
Atletico’s anchorman, 22, has a £65m release clause and Bayern Munich are keen too.
City might choose to flog contract rebel Sane, who interests Bayern, to help stay within Uefa’s Financial Fair Play limits.
The German winger’s failure to agree new terms has given City a problem and they could cash in if they receive an offer of over £90m.
Guardiola would ideally like to keep Sane — and the 23-year-old is in no rush to leave.
Sane is behind City player of the year Bernardo Silva in the pecking order, while £60m record signing Riyad Mahrez is also in his position.
If City do sell Sane, they could join the chase for Benfica whizkid Felix, 19.
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