Harry Maguire has been left out of Leicester’s squad for their friendly against Atalanta as he is not in the right frame of mind to feature amid intense speculation linking him with Manchester United.
The 26-year-old has told Leicester that he’s eager to join United this summer, but time is running out for the clubs to reach an agreement with just days remaining of the transfer window.
While United are prepared to shell out £80million for Maguire – which would break the world-record transfer fee for a defender – the Foxes are holding out for at least £85m from their Premier League rivals.
Leicester have made it clear that they will not budge on their valuation and, according to Sky Sports, Maguire has been left ‘completely frustrated’ by the situation with his future still up in the air.
Brendan Rodgers has praised Maguire’s attitude throughout and the England international, who is entering into his third season at the King Power Stadium, is not prepared to force his way out of the club.
However, it’s been mutually agreed – by Maguire, Rodgers and Leicester – that the centre-back should play no part against Atalanta on Friday evening.
Talk of an impending move to Old Trafford intensified as Maguire missed training earlier this week, but Leicester have maintained that an illness was the reason for the defender’s absence.
Asked about the constant speculation, Leicester boss Rodgers told BBC Sport: ‘I’m obviously relaxed with it. It is what it is.
‘The player has been first class with his attitude in his training.
‘The club hasn’t changed its stance in terms of the valuation for the player.
‘As of this day, the valuation for Harry hasn’t been met that would trigger any communication with the player and the other club.
‘For me, Top, John Rudkin [director of football] and Susan Whelan [chief executive] are doing a great job in relation to that. There’s no change.’
Solskjaer insists United are still working on signings ahead of the new season, with only Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka brought in so far this summer.
‘We’re looking good. Of course we’ve been working on a few cases over the summer. It’s never easy.
‘The club has been very good and the market is very hard.
‘We’re trying to get to the start of the season with the squad that we want.’
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