Former Manchester United defender Jonathan Spector surprised by Harry Maguire move with Matthijs de Ligt available
Former Manchester United defender Jonathan Spector has admitted he is surprised the club have gone for Harry Maguire over Matthijs de Ligt.
On Tuesday, Brendan Rodgers told talkSPORT Leicester had turned down two bids that were 'nowhere near' the club's valuation for the player.
Manchester City and Manchester United have both been linked with moves for the 26-year-old, with reports on Monday suggesting the Red Devils had made an £80million bid for the former Hull City man.
And Spector, who made three Premier League appearances for the Red Devils in three years, has admitted he thought they would sign a foreign defender.
Speaking exclusively to he said: "I was actually a bit surprised by it. I think he’s a very good central defender and he has proven himself at the international level as well, but a part of me thought that they would go abroad to fill that role.
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"I thought they would potentially be chasing someone like De Ligt but Maguire is a good player and I think he could be good for the club, but only for the right price.
"It seems like English players command a premium and if they could get him for the right price, I think it would be a good buy."
Meanwhile, Danny Simpson, who played alongside Maguire for two years at Leicester but is currently without a club, admitted he expected a top team to come in for the centre-back.
“I’m not surprised that [Manchester] United and [Manchester] City are in for him,” Simpson told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“For me he’s one of the best defenders.
“He’s a top lad and he’s only going to get better. He’s improving, he’s a leader and he can be wherever he wants to be.
“The way he brings the ball out from the back and organises everyone is quality.
“He wants to go all the way to the top and I think if he does go to one of those two teams, he’ll kick on straight away and take it in his stride.”