Manchester United are reportedly set to offer Harry Maguire a new £140,000-a-week contract, hoping to keep the 32-year-old defender at Old Trafford beyond this season. With his current deal expiring in just eight months, United’s hierarchy has entered advanced talks with Maguire’s representatives, wary of growing interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves has already initiated discussions, aiming to tie Maguire down before the January transfer window, when overseas clubs would be free to swoop in.
Current boss Ruben Amorim has been instrumental in Maguire’s revival. The Portuguese tactician reinstated him into the club’s leadership group and even handed him the captain’s armband in the League Cup clash against Grimsby Town this season—a symbolic gesture after the defender lost the captaincy under Erik ten Hag in 2023.
Amorim also triggered the one-year extension clause in Maguire’s contract back in January, keeping him tied until 2026. Now, he wants the club to go further by rewarding his trusted centre-back with a new deal.
Despite United’s confidence, Saudi Arabia’s big-spending clubs could still change the story. Al-Nassr, home to Cristiano Ronaldo, are keen to reunite the England international with his former United teammate. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq are also circling, ready to offer wages that dwarf what Maguire earns at Old Trafford.
United, however, remain adamant—they won’t negotiate a pay cut. Maguire’s salary already dropped by 25 per cent after United missed out on Champions League football in 2024, and any new deal would likely keep him at the same lucrative rate.
Earlier this year, Maguire admitted he’s thinking carefully about his future:
“This year, obviously, I’m up at the end of the year. I’m sure over the next few months they’ll sit down and we’ll have a conversation about where we want to go. It’s an amazing club to play for and you’d be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could.”
Despite interest from other Premier League and Serie A clubs last summer, Maguire turned down moves elsewhere, reportedly telling friends that he’d like to finish his career at Old Trafford.
The Maguire situation highlights how the sports market has shifted globally. Saudi Pro League clubs are aggressively targeting experienced European stars, while top clubs like United are forced to pay big money to retain players despite their age. It’s a battle between loyalty, financial security, and ambition—a theme that increasingly defines modern football.
For now, it looks like Manchester United are doubling down on faith in their veteran defender, but whether Maguire resists the Saudi gold rush remains the question.
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