Pep Guardiola has congratulated Manchester United for the signing of Harry Maguire and claims Manchester City were interested but could not afford the England international defender.
Maguire is expected to officially complete his move to Old Trafford next week after the Red devils agreed an £85 million fee with Leicester City on Friday.
The 26-year-old defender arrived at United’s training ground on Sunday to complete a medical and put the finishing touches on his transfer move.
The deal will take United’s summer spending to around £150m as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s club also signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James from Crystal Palace and Swansea respectively this transfer window.
City, meanwhile, were exploring a possible deal for Maguire but were put off by Leicester’s £80m valuation and had to put an end to interest in the centre-back.
The Premier League champions are also believed to be closing in on a £32m deal for Juventus full-back Joao Cancelo.
When asked about United’s move for Maguire after City’s win over Liverpool in the Community Shield on Sunday, Guardiola said: ‘Top class player.
‘We were interested but we could not afford it. United could afford it. ‘Congratulations to United on this signing.’
When quizzed on if Maguire’s signing could push United towards the Premier League title, Guardiola said: “He made an incredible World Cup, strong in the air, good with the ball and drives with the ball so fast and young and has all the qualities to work for United.”
“At the beginning, there are five or six teams who are contenders. I don’t care if people say we are going to win titles. It doesn’t matter about the recent years with United. They’re always contenders.”
Meanwhile, City lifted their first trophy of the 2019-20 campaign by beating Liverpool in the Community Shield on Sunday through penalties.
