Manchester United made centre-back Harry Maguire the world’s most expensive defender during the transfer window. The centre-back agreed on an £80 million transfer move from Leicester City to Old Trafford. Maguire earns £190,000-per-week and is the club’s sixth-highest player in 2019-20.
The Red Devils are now set to give Maguire’s defensive partner Victor Lindelof an improved deal to keep him at Old Trafford. The Mirror reports Lindelof is in line for a new £150,000-per-week contract.
Victor Lindelof’s new deal
The 25-year-old Swede joined Manchester United in 2017 from Benfica for £31.5m. Lindelof’s contract doesn’t expire until 2021 and Manchester United have a one-year option on his deal. However, with Maguire earning such a large pay packet and central defender Eric Bailly possibly leaving on a free transfer next summer, Manchester United want to prevent Lindelof from leaving.
The new deal will extend Lindelof’s stay by three seasons keeping him at Manchester United until 2025.
Lindelof currently earns £120,000-per-week, making him the ninth highest-paid player at the club. The defender’s current salary puts him behind the likes of Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford.
There are some conflicting reports, including the Mirror, which state Lindelof is currently only on £75,000-per-week. If that is the case rather than the figure of £120,000-a-week claimed by Spotrac, then Lindelof’s salary will be doubled. The increase in wages will allow Lindelof to earn a cool £7.8m a season at Old Trafford.
The Sweden international has established himself as a first-choice centre-back this season alongside Maguire. Lindelof has appeared in all four Manchester United league games this term keeping one clean sheet.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is anxious to have a solid defensive foundation signed for the long haul. Maguire is contracted to the club for the next six seasons and Solskjaer hopes to have Lindelof commit for a similar amount of time.
Manchester United have also sorted out an extension for left-back Luke Shaw. The club signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace in the summer to a five-year deal with a team option for a sixth.
