Manchester United block Harry Maguire loan move to Newcastle

Manchester United have ruled out the possibility of Harry Maguire joining Newcastle United on loan but are open to selling their captain.

Having slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford this season, Maguire started just eight league games for the club this season with three Premier League sides interested in signing him this summer.

Manchester United would sell Maguire to Newcastle due to the finances involved but a loan to St James’ Park is out of the question.

The Sun reported that Newcastle is eager to work out a loan deal but the Red Devils have no intention of bolstering the ranks of a top-four rival without being financially rewarded.

Aston Villa are watching keenly as they want extra cover in the squad for their European campaign. Villa would have a better chance of a loan deal being accepted by United.

Tottenham are linked with the 30-year-old but are yet to make a play. Leicester was also keen on signing the defender but relegation put an end to that idea.

United players will reportedly get a pay rise following qualification for the Champions League. And Maguire’s current wages of around £200,000 a week would already be hard to match by most Premier rivals.

Maguire lost his place in Erik ten Hag’s side at the start of the season with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane the manager’s first-choice pairing.

Victor Lindelof was also the Dutchman’s preferred option during the final stages of the season with left-back Luke Shaw also selected ahead of Maguire on a number of occasions.

Ten Hag recently suggested his skipper is not happy with the situation and opened the door for him to leave Old Trafford this summer.

United are thought to be working on a deal to sign Napoli star Kim Min-Jae and could cash in on Maguire to help fund that move.

The Red Devils fans may need to ready themselves for weeks or even months of rumours about Maguire with no firm decision emerging just yet.