What does Manchester United’s £70m bid for Harry Maguire mean for Brighton’s Lewis Dunk?

Manchester United’s £70m bid for Leicester defender Harry Maguire could well have repercussions at the Amex Stadium.
Is Lewis Dunk closer to a Brighton departure? GettyIs Lewis Dunk closer to a Brighton departure? Getty
Is Lewis Dunk closer to a Brighton departure? Getty

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to land Maguire, which could see Brighton defender Lewis Dunk top Leicester’s list as a possible replacement.

Dunk’s consistent displays for Brighton in the Premier League has brought him to the England squad and any deal for the 27-year-old is expected to cost Leicester a club-record of more than £30million.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leicester of course want to keep Maguire as they target a top six finish in Brendan Rodgers’ first full season as manager.

But Rogers is reported to be an admirer of Dunk, whose defensive partnership with Shane Duffy has played a key role in maintaining Brighton’s Premier League status for the last two seasons.

Dunk has made 244 appearances for Albion. He is a constant threat at set-pieces and has scored 13 goals. He made his full England debut last November in a 3-0 friendly victory against the USA at Wembley Stadium.

Brighton manager Graham Potter has already improved his defensive options earlier this summer with the £4m signing of former Portsmouth skipper Matt Clarke.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, Seagull’s centre back Leon Balogun held his hands up to an error during Nigeria’s shock 2-0 defeat to minnows Madagascar at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“I made one mistake that led to a goal,” said Balogun. “I think I defended everything I needed to defend, I know people will now only focus on that mistake.

“It is football and these things happen and we’re all human beings. I’m not a robot.”