Man United extend talks for Louis Page after Leicester reject deadline-day bid

Manchester United are continuing negotiations with Leicester City over 18-year-old midfielder Louis Page after a deal collapsed on transfer deadline day, leaving United without a single signing in the window.

Leicester manager Russell Martin confirmed after Tuesday’s League One fixture against Plymouth Argyle — a match in which Page started, effectively ending any hope of an immediate move — that the club’s owner, Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha, personally rejected a substantial offer from United. “We sat in the office and received a very big offer from Manchester United,” Martin said. “He said no. It would have been so easy for him to sell Louis and take a lot of money, but he didn’t.”

The sticking point between the clubs centred on payment terms for the initial transfer fee and the structure of add-ons. Leicester were seeking a figure in excess of the £10 million plus £2.5 million in add-ons deal that Manchester City agreed for Jeremy Monga. A loan-back arrangement that would have kept Page at Leicester for the remainder of this season was reported to be close before the 11pm deadline passed.

Despite the setback, United are said to remain confident of signing the England under-19 international, with lines of communication still open between the two clubs. Page, who made 18 Championship appearances for Leicester last season, had already missed the club’s opening match of the campaign before being reintegrated into Martin’s plans.

Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in Page, but the teenager is understood to be committed to the pathway and vision United outlined for him. His father, Don — himself a former footballer who played for clubs including Altrincham, Hyde United, Rochdale, and Wigan Athletic — was born in Manchester, and the family retains connections to the area.

With Page now set to remain at Leicester until at least January, United will look to revive their pursuit in the winter window.