According to The Sun, director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves is said to have initiated early contact with the defender’s camp, aiming to lock him down before the January transfer window opens, when overseas clubs will be free to swoop in. It’s understood that boss Ruben Amorim is pushing behind the scenes for Maguire’s renewal, having reinstated the experienced defender into the club’s leadership group during the summer.
The manager’s faith in Maguire has been clear since the Portuguese tactician’s arrival. In fact, it was Amorim himself who triggered the one-year extension clause in Maguire’s contract back in January, keeping him at the club until 2026. Amorim even handed him the captain’s armband in the League Cup clash against Grimsby Town in August, a symbolic gesture that marked Maguire’s first time leading the team since being stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag in 2023.
But Amorim’s plans could yet be rocked by the lure of the Saudi Pro League, where football’s latest gold rush continues. According to various reports, Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s current home, are eyeing to forge a reunion with Maguire, who remains close to the Portuguese superstar. Rivals Al-Ettifaq are also understood to be preparing an approach, both ready to offer staggering wages to lure the England defender away from Manchester. If he decides to leave, it could represent one final big payday before the twilight of his career, a move that would also see him team up with the Portuguese talisman.
United are well aware of the Saudi threat, and reports suggest that they have no plans to negotiate a pay cut. Maguire’s salary already took a 25 per cent hit after the Red Devils missed out on the Champions League in May 2024, reducing his weekly earnings to around £140,000. That means any new deal would likely keep him on the same lucrative terms; a sign of Amorim’s respect for one of his most trusted senior players.
Speaking earlier this year about his future, Maguire hinted that big decisions were looming.
“Last year, the clause was in their hands, so there was no option for me there. There was no talking. It was just that they activated it, and it got extended. 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 to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend, or obviously the transfer window will open again in January. Obviously, I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be. I don’t want to put it out there to everybody, but 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.”
United’s summer stance made things clear: they weren’t ready to part with him. Despite several clubs,including Premier League rivals and Serie A sides, making moves, Maguire rejected the chance to leave. Instead, he allegedly voiced his desire to finish his career at Old Trafford, telling close friends that he’s determined to fight for his place.
With January approaching fast, the clock is ticking. Maguire will soon be free to negotiate with foreign clubs, and the Saudis are ready to make their pitch. But United, armed with Amorim’s backing, are determined to keep their stalwart centre-back in Manchester for at least another couple of seasons. In September, Maguire reached a major milestone when he made his 250th appearance for United. The club’s football director, Jason Wilcox, personally presented him with a commemorative frame to mark the achievement, a rare gesture that shows how valued he remains. Since his arrival six years ago, Maguire has made 253 appearances, becoming one of the longest-serving players in the current squad.
Moreover, he remains one of Amorim’s most-used players as he’s featured in 38 of the Portuguese coach’s 50 matches in charge; a staggering figure for someone manyonce thought was finished at the top level.The decision now rests with Maguire: does he chase one last payday in the desert heat, or write his legacy where it all began to unravel and revive under the bright lights of Old Trafford?
