Pep Guardiola: 'Manchester City could not afford Harry Maguire'

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that his club "could not afford" to sign Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire in this summer's transfer window.

Maguire is said to be on the verge of joining Manchester United after the Red Devils had an offer - believed to be in the region of £80m - accepted for the England international.

Guardiola has revealed that the Premier League champions were in the hunt for the 26-year-old but could not afford to bring him to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

"Yeah. Maguire is an excellent, top-class player. We were interested, but we could not afford it. United afford it. He's an excellent player, national team too, he had an incredible World Cup," Guardiola told reporters.

"He's strong in the air, good with the ball, the build-up, he drives with the ball, he's fast, so fast. He has all the qualities. Congratulations to United for this signature."

City, who will start their Premier League season away to West Ham United next weekend, beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield on Sunday afternoon.