Manchester United were so desperate to land Harry Maguire they paid Leicester a huge £80million sum up front, according to reports.
The Telegraph claim United paid almost all of the £85m deal – a world record transfer fee for a defender – in one lump sum in August.
The Red Devils were close to paying the full fee up front but included some minor instalments, such was their determination to ensure they got their man.
Whilst the majority of big-money deals are now paid in instalments with a number of further add-ons based on incentives, Leicester have already netted a massive amount from the Red Devils.
(Image: PA)
Maguire was United’s marquee signing of the summer, along with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, and has got his career at Old Trafford off to a solid start by shoring up their defence.
But Leicester have hardly struggled to fill the gap left by Maguire’s late exit, conceding just eight goals in their opening nine games with Caglar Soyuncu stepping up to the first-team in Maguire’s place.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers is still keen to bolster his defence options, but having banked £80million from United he will have plenty of funds to play with in January.
It remains to be seen, however, what impact the massive outlay will have on United’s January spending.
(Image: Plumb Images)
The Red Devils are still eyeing reinforcements – particularly in attack – having got their season off to a poor start.
Strikers Mario Mandzukic, Callum Wilson and Moussa Dembele have been linked, as well as defensive midfielders Sean Longstaff and Declan Rice.
Maguire’s former Leicester team-mate, James Maddison, is also one of their top targets ahead of the January window, although they could need to pay another big fee up front to convince Leicester to part with their playmaker.
