Man Utd reject Barcelona’s attempts to include Harry Maguire in a trade deal for Frenkie de Jong | american football

United and Barcelona have negotiated a fee for de Jong with Erik ten Hag, making the Netherlands international his main transfer target this summer.

According to The Sun, Barcelona are interested in signing Maguire and have asked to include the England international as part of the deal that sees de Jong move to the Premier League.

However, United turned down that request and the club are now on the cusp of reaching a £69million cash deal for the midfielder.

A number of defenders have been given the green light to leave Old Trafford this summer, including Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

But the report says United were unwilling to part with Maguire and that Ten Hag is keen to partner with the former Leicester City star.

Maguire arrived at United in 2019 for £80million and was named captain after just six months at the club.

The 29-year-old endured a disastrous campaign in 2021-22, in which he suffered a massive drop in form and was vilified by supporters for his poor performance.

Although he remains firmly in ten Hag’s plans, it remains to be seen whether Maguire will continue as club captain under the Dutchman.

Reports this month have suggested that ten Hag would be happy if the dressing room chose who wears the armband, with David de Gea likely to be an overwhelming favorite in the first-team squad.

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