Almost as soon as last season finished the whispers around how much it would cost to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City began. Word came from the very top at the King Power Stadium that respected agents’ valuations of £65 million were misguided.



Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, known as Top, saw Maguire as a statement transfer and let it be known that only a world-record fee for a defender would be palatable. Sources have told The Athletic that Leicester’s owner initially wanted £100 million for Maguire. The message was clear to interested parties, including Manchester United and Manchester City: Leicester had a strong hand and would not fold.



This left United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward with a dilemma. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had made it abundantly clear Maguire was his top target to elevate a mediocre defence, not only for his capabilities on the pitch but his presence off it. England and Leicester staff reported a grounded...