What Harry Maguire’s new deal will mean

Leicester City’s star defender Harry Maguire will sign a new contract soon. With four years already remaining on his current deal, what does this mean going forward?

Securing a player of Harry Maguire’s calibre is important for any team – for Leicester City it is imperative. This week’s football gossip is encouraging for the Foxes. John Percy at the reliable Telegraph said via Twitter: “Leicester close to agreeing new £75,000-a-week deal for England defender Harry Maguire.” Sky Sports, among others, repeat the story.

Ensuring a vital player is happy, is vital in itself. If that is through a wage increase, starting place security or sometimes reassurance – so be it. Leicester City made another team affirming announcement on ‘deadline day‘, as their second England international Jamie Vardy signed a new four-year contract. Consolidating the existing class.

Player power

Thibaut Courtois is an example of the outcome if a player’s future is not settled, in both senses of the word. Chelsea managed to sell the Belgian before his contract expired in 2019. However, they took a reduced price, as next summer they potentially get nothing as the player could leave for free.

InBrief wonderfully explain this reasoning, below:

"“Following the Bosman ruling, which enabled out of contract football players to move to clubs within the EU without the requirement of a transfer fee, we have seen a significant increase in player power. For example, players will often refuse to sign a new contract with their existing club so they can become out of contract and thus move for free. If the club the player moves to is not required to pay a transfer fee, they will be willing to provide that player with huge amounts of money both as a signing-on fee and in wages.”"

Maguire is now an England regular, World Cup legend in this country and potential club captain for Leicester City. It is simply the best possible business the Foxes could do by keeping him. Ok, maybe signing Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi would pip ‘big H’; but us Foxes are incredibly content.

With significant teams such as Manchester United circling like vultures, do not underestimate what keeping Maguire, Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi and Kasper Schmeichel means for the club. And now, hopefully, Ndidi will also sign a fresh agreement, increasing his time at the King Power. Core maintained!

Can Maguire still leave?

Yes, in the next transfer window it is feasible, but not likely. We must not be delusional: Maguire will attract bids from footballing superpowers once again, possibly in January, but definitely by the summer.

If the 25-year-old signs again, he will be contracted to the club until 2023. His current deal ends in 2022. So the new one is realistically a token gesture of loyalty. Though, this does not affect incoming offers after four months time. It is nice to think he will stay another five-years, but unlikely. Players can move anywhere while in contract, as long as their club agrees a price.

If those potential transfer offers are of particularly astronomical, the Blue Army may wave goodbye to a future England captain. Captain of the Foxes Wes Morgan believes his defensive partner is essential at the King Power Stadium – regardless of the English stalwart being his heir apparent:

"He’s [Harry Maguire] a big, big asset for the team. You can see his qualities, he shows it in every game he plays. Any team that has got him is going to improve, so I am glad he’s on my team and not someone else’s!– Wes Morgan (Via: Leicestershire Live)"

Well said ‘Captain Morgan’, indeed. In addition, maintaining Maguire’s presence causes a domino effect. Schmeichel in-turn is encouraged to remain. Vardy and Ndidi also. An extra point concerns the market: better players attract to Leicester City in the transfer window – if they keep their most noteworthy squad members.

To be absolutely honest, one can understand a professional wanting to perform at the highest level; Maguire said that himself. Some could not image a gentleman like him alienating himself with supporters by attempting to force a move. Therefore proving he signed an improved contract just for the money and subsequently acting like it never existed, nor was legally binding – like some have.