Out of favour Manchester United defender Harry Maguire had rejected an offer to move to Barcelona earlier this summer, despite having a difficult 2021-22 campaign at Old Trafford.
The England international received widespread criticism following a number of mistakes during a disappointing season for the 20-time English champions.
Earlier this year, there were suggestions that the defender’s future at Old Trafford was in doubt, while new head coach Erik ten Hag is also believed to have considered taking the armband away from the Englishman.
However, Maguire will remain as captain for the 2022-23 campaign, with Ten Hag full of praise for the former Sheffield United youngster since taking over as head coach.
There were rumours of interest from Barcelona earlier this summer, but the centre-back is determined to turn his Red Devils career around.
According to The Mirror, Xavi’s side were keen to bring the Maguire to Camp Nou this summer and had been in touch with his representatives to discuss a move.
The report also claims that Maguire was mentioned in a swap plus cash deal involving Barcelona dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The defender, however, allegedly made it clear that he was not interested in moving to Camp Nou and instead wanted to turn his Man United career around by enjoying a strong 2022-23 campaign.
“Some players, especially with some of the criticism flying around, would have been desperate to go if Barcelona came calling. But Harry is unmoved and wants to have a successful season with United,” the newspaper quotes a source close to the defender as saying.
