Leicester owner personally rejects Manchester United's £23m deadline-day bid for Louis Page

Leicester City owner Khun Top personally rejected a deadline-day offer from Manchester United for teenage midfielder Louis Page, with reports suggesting the bid could have reached £23 million. Manager Russell Martin confirmed the approach after Page starred in a 2-0 League One victory over Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night.

Martin revealed that he, chief football officer Jon Rudkin, sporting director James McCarron, and the owner gathered in the office as United’s offer arrived in the final hours of the window. “The owner was here today and we sat in the office and received a very big offer from Manchester United,” Martin said. “He said no. So whatever’s going on with the noise around the club and all that stuff, he was strong, and he wanted the player to stay and be part of us.”

United had been linked with the 18-year-old for several weeks, and Martin had previously confirmed that an earlier bid had also been turned down. The pursuit intensified on deadline day, with reports indicating a potential loan-back arrangement to Leicester was among the options discussed.

Despite the swirling speculation, Page was named in the starting XI and delivered an assist for Leicester’s opening goal, underlining exactly why United were so keen to secure his signature.

Martin was effusive in his praise for the player and credited the owner’s resolve. “It would have been so easy for him to sell Louis and take a lot of money. But he didn’t,” he said. “Louis, you can see the level of quality and potential he possesses is amazing. Him and Sammy [Braybrooke] have an unbelievable connection and we have to build around these young guys. I’m really grateful that he’s still here.”

LeicestershireLive reports there is no confirmed figure for United’s final offer, though some sources suggest the total package could have been as much as £23 million — a substantial sum for a player who had started only two senior games for the Foxes before deadline day.