Revealed: The truth about Aston Villa swoop for Harry Maguire as centre-back deal lined up – sources
Harry Maguire is staying at Man United this month after they rejected interest from Aston Villa, sources have told Football Insider.
There has been speculation over the last 48 hours, that was subsequently denied by all parties involved, that the centre-back could be joining Villa after being spotted at a restaurant near their Bodymoor Heath training ground on Saturday.
It has been claimed that Maguire was instead playing golf nearby at The Belfry, one of the leading Championship courses in the UK.
Despite the denials all rounds, it is understood that Villa did make an enquiry about Maguire’s availability to United as they pursued a potential January deal.
But it was knocked back by the 20-times Premier League champions, who have no intention of letting him go this month.
Maguire has lost his place in the United starting XI, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane the first choice centre-back pairing and key to the team’s improvement either side of the World Cup.
However, Erik ten Hag wants Maguire as defensive cover and he is adamant the Englishman will stay until the end of the season.
It means Villa will have to look elsewhere for a proven central defender.
One of the priorities, already discussed by Unai Emery and club chiefs, is to recruit a top-class centre-back who can fit into the manager’s playing style.
Villa are also trying to sign a left-back and a wide forward this month, and are making progress over both deals.
In other news, Aston Villa close in on two new signings as one deal all but done.