Harry Maguire ready to turn down staggering £500k-a-week offer amid talks for new Man Utd contract

Maguire has emerged as a target for Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq, who are ready to offer the Manchester United defender a £500,000-a-week deal. The former United captain, whose current contract expires next June, will be free to negotiate with overseas clubs in January as he approaches the twilight of his career. However, The Sun have suggested that Maguire is ready to snub the lucrative offers from the Middle East if United decide to extend his stay.

Maguire reportedly wants clarity that any new terms come with assurances about his role within the team, having fought his way back into contention after a turbulent period. He is aware that a move to Saudi Arabia could jeopardise his international career with England. While the financial incentives are significant, the defender reportedly wants to prioritise maintaining his top-level status. For now, his future remains closely tied to how strongly United value his presence in their evolving project.

Maguire’s situation highlights both his personal determination and the shifting landscape at Manchester United. Once the world’s most expensive defender following his £80 million move from Leicester City in 2019, his Old Trafford career has been marked by extreme highs and lows. From becoming club captain in 2020 to being dropped and stripped of the armband under Erik ten Hag.

Despite his setbacks, the England centre-back has shown remarkable resilience. His return to form in 2023 reignited his Red Devils career and restored his reputation. The club’s back-to-back domestic cup triumphs - the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024 - added further weight to his contributions, even as doubts over his long-term role persisted.

For Maguire, the decision between a lucrative exit and loyalty to United is about more than money. At 32, he is said to understand that the next contract he signs will likely define the closing chapter of his career. The defender’s preference to stay suggests a deep desire to end his time at Old Trafford on his own terms, ideally, as a respected leader.

Maguire’s early impact under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw him become an undroppable figure and the fastest defender in club history to reach 100 appearances. However, off-field controversies, including a 2020 incident in Greece with police, and a dip in form during subsequent seasons eroded his once-strong standing among fans and pundits.

Maguire’s experience and leadership are valued in a squad undergoing a significant transition under INEOS ownership. His defensive steadiness, aerial dominance, and composure on the ball remain assets - particularly as other United players continue to struggle to find their ideal level. For the player himself, remaining at the highest level in European football is mainly about maintaining his place in the England setup, which a move to the Saudi Pro League could jeopardise.

Contract talks between United and Maguire are expected to begin before the January transfer window. Should an agreement be reached, the Red Devils will likely offer a short-term deal that rewards his loyalty and experience while retaining flexibility. Maguire, meanwhile, will assess whether the new proposal includes guarantees about his role in the team and his long-term prospects at Old Trafford.

If no agreement is reached, Maguire could explore the Saudi option or other opportunities abroad once his current deal enters its final six months. However, those close to the defender suggest his priority is to continue at United.