MX23RW : Sunday, October 6 16:29:31| >> :120:67381:67381:

Brendan Rodgers: 'Too expensive to replace Harry Maguire'

Brendan Rodgers: 'Too expensive to replace Harry Maguire'
© Reuters
Maguire joined Manchester United but Leicester failed to sign a replacement.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers admits Leicester were priced out of replacing Harry Maguire.

England international Maguire moved to Manchester United on Monday for £80million, a world-record fee for a defender.

PA understands the Foxes did bid around £30million for Burnley's James Tarkowski, but it was swiftly rejected with the two clubs miles apart in their valuations. The Clarets wanted well over £40million.

Leicester also looked at Bournemouth's Nathan Ake – although the Cherries reportedly wanted £75million.

It left Rogers without a replacement and the former Celtic boss said prices were too high.

"Yes, as simple as that," he said. "The club had every right to hold out for what their valuation was for Harry but then everything was going to be very difficult.

"One because of the price and two because that timeline was really tight. We looked at it, it didn't happen, but we're happy with what we have.

"It was always going to be a difficult market if we were interested in one or two other players but the club started to prepare for that a year ago.

"They brought in two outstanding centre-backs in Caglar (Soyuncu) and Filip (Benkovic) and if we weren't to bring anyone else in we know we had them – along with Jonny Evans and Wes Morgan.

"We looked but the market proved too difficult. But we were comfortable with what we had.

"We're very pleased, we targeted a number of areas and delighted with the players we brought in.

"We lost a fantastic player and a really good man. What Harry did over the summer was show how to conduct yourself and also showed good guys get what they want in the end."

Leicester host Wolves in their Premier League opener on Sunday but deadline day signing Dennis Praet is unlikely to feature as he builds fitness while Benkovic continues to recover from an ankle problem.

Meanwhile, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha was confirmed as Leicester's new chairman on Thursday to succeed his father Vichai, who died in a helicopter crash outside the ground in October.

"He has shown incredible courage, his father lost his life here and the very next day he was here," Rodgers said.

"From that day he assumed the responsibility of leading the club.

"It has felt really natural. He worked very closely with his father in getting to understand how to lead the club and, for me, he has been incredible.

"He has been a focal point."

ID:367584: cacheID:367584:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3845:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet in action against Juventus in December, 2018
Read Next:
Leicester on verge of finalising Praet deal?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
2.30pm
Jets
@
Vikings
6pm
Panthers
@
Bears
6pm
Ravens
@
Bengals
6pm
Colts
@
Jags
6pm
Dolphins
@
Patriots
6pm
Bills
@
Texans
6pm
Browns
@
Washington
9.05pm
Cardinals
@
49ers
9.05pm
Raiders
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Packers
@
Rams
9.25pm
Giants
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool76011321118
2Manchester CityMan City7520178917
3Arsenal7520156917
4Chelsea7421168814
5Aston Villa7421129314
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle733187112
7Fulham7322108211
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest724176110
10Brentford73131313010
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham72231011-18
13Bournemouth7223810-28
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd722358-38
15Leicester CityLeicester7133912-36
16Everton7124715-85
17Ipswich TownIpswich7043614-84
18Crystal Palace7034510-53
19Southampton7016415-111
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves7016921-121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!