Leicester owner personally blocks £15m Man United move for Louis Page

Manchester United’s summer transfer window ended in frustration after a last-ditch bid to sign Leicester City teenager Louis Page was blocked by the club’s owner, Aiyawatt ‘Khun Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha, just before Tuesday’s deadline.

United had tabled a package reportedly worth approximately £15m for the 18-year-old midfielder, who was named EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season last term. The deal appeared close to completion, but Srivaddhanaprabha stepped in personally to reject the offer.

“The owner was here today and we sat in the office and received a very big offer from Manchester United,” Leicester manager Russell Martin said. “Myself, Jon [Rudkin], James [McCarron] and the owner, Khun Top, sat in and he said no. Whatever’s going on with the noise around the club and all that stuff, he was strong. He wanted the player to stay and be part of us. It would have been so easy for him to sell Louis and take a lot of money. But he didn’t. It’s a brilliant thing for us.”

Martin added that Page’s quality made the decision straightforward from the owner’s perspective. “Louis, you can see the level of quality and potential he possesses is amazing. He’s really helped us since coming into the team. I’m really grateful that he’s still here.”

The failed pursuit of Page rounded off a window in which United — back in the Champions League — spent a combined £152m on seven players. Four senior signings were completed: Andrey Santos arrived first, followed by Karl Darlow, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba, whose deal could reach £70m if all add-ons are triggered. Academy recruits Tynan Thompson (£8m from Tottenham), Cristian Orozco, and goalkeeper Kit Margetson also joined.

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, speaking ahead of the deadline, acknowledged United’s appetite for further business. “You’re always looking for more if you can do something else and make the most of the situation,” he said — though no additional deals were concluded. Carrick nonetheless appeared broadly satisfied with the window’s overall output, noting that “the group’s in a good place, and they want to fight.”

On the pitch, United opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Hull City before bouncing back emphatically with a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town.