adminManchester United’s deadline-day pursuit of Leicester City youngster Louis Page has taken another dramatic turn after the midfielder helped Russell Martin’s side secure their first league victory of the season.
The 18-year-old was at the centre of one of the biggest transfer stories surrounding Leicester on Tuesday, with Manchester United working against the clock to try and bring him to Old Trafford.
But while negotiations continued away from the pitch, Page was named in Leicester’s starting XI against Plymouth Argyle.
That immediately raised eyebrows.
United were trying to sign him before the transfer window closed, yet Leicester had decided to trust the teenager from the start in an important League One fixture.
And what happened next only made the situation even more interesting.
Page starts as United’s deadline-day move hangs in the balance
Page started in midfield as Leicester welcomed Plymouth to the King Power Stadium.
His inclusion had already provided a major clue that the transfer was far from straightforward.
Manchester Evening News journalist Tyrone Marshall reported earlier in the day that there was still no agreement between Manchester United and Leicester, with Page’s involvement in the match becoming a major stumbling block.
“No deal in place for Louis Page, and confidence is diminishing at Old Trafford that it gets done. Page starting for the Foxes tonight a clear stumbling block now,” Marshall reported.
For United, there was now a race against time.
The club had been pushing to complete a deal for the highly-rated youngster, but Leicester’s decision to start him suggested that the Foxes were not simply preparing to wave goodbye to their academy prospect.
And with the clock continuing to tick, Page had a game to play.
Leicester finally get their breakthrough
The teenager remained focused on his responsibilities as Leicester looked to finally turn their promising performances into points.
Martin’s side had entered the match still waiting for their first League One victory of the campaign.
They had drawn with Notts County and MK Dons while suffering a defeat against Burton Albion, leaving the pressure on the new manager to deliver a result.
Plymouth therefore presented another important test.
And Leicester eventually produced the response they had been waiting for.
The Foxes struck twice in first-half stoppage time, with Will Alves opening the scoring before Harry Howell doubled the advantage shortly afterwards.
Those two goals gave Leicester a 2–0 lead going into the interval and put them firmly in control.
Page, meanwhile, remained part of the Leicester side as the Foxes pushed towards their first three points of the season.
The result was becoming increasingly important.
But away from the football itself, another question remained unanswered.
What would happen to Page?
United’s offer faces another obstacle
Manchester United had continued discussions with Leicester over a permanent deal for Page.
The proposed transfer was understood to be worth more than £10 million, but the two clubs had not been able to reach a final agreement.
According to The Athletic, Leicester were looking for around £12 million guaranteed, with another £3 million potentially taking the total package to £15 million.
That valuation was proving difficult for United to overcome.
The Red Devils had shown enough interest to push negotiations deep into deadline day, but Leicester were under no obligation to sell cheaply.
And with Page now playing a key part in Martin’s plans for the night, the situation was becoming increasingly difficult for United.
Page helps Martin finally get his first win
Leicester eventually completed the job.
The 2–0 victory over Plymouth gave Martin his first League One victory as Leicester manager and finally provided the Foxes with the three points they had been searching for.
For Page, it was a particularly unusual night.
While his future was being discussed at the highest level, he was simultaneously helping Leicester on the pitch.
The teenager had started the game despite the transfer speculation surrounding him, and Leicester finished the night with their first league victory of the campaign.
That left Manchester United with a major decision to make before the transfer deadline.
The waiting game begins
United could still have attempted to force the deal through.
The club had been pushing hard throughout the day and had already made significant progress in negotiations.
But as the hours disappeared, confidence at Old Trafford began to fade.
Marshall later delivered another update that appeared to provide the clearest indication yet of where the situation was heading.
“Page deal now almost certainly off. United tried hard to get it done today, but looks set to stay at Leicester City until January at least,” he reported.
Suddenly, the possibility of Page arriving at Old Trafford before the deadline was looking extremely unlikely.
Yet there was still one final piece of the puzzle.
Manchester United make their decision
After all the negotiations, the uncertainty surrounding Page’s involvement against Plymouth and Leicester’s £12m-plus valuation, Manchester United’s proposed move has now been called off.
The Athletic also reported that the transfer was set to be abandoned, meaning Page is expected to remain at Leicester City until at least January.
United could return for him during the winter transfer window, but waiting could come with its own risks.
Arsenal have also been monitoring the youngster, meaning the Red Devils may have to move quickly if they decide to revive their interest.
For now, however, Page remains a Leicester player.
And after starting against Plymouth and helping Martin’s side secure a 2–0 victory — their first league win of the season — the teenager’s deadline-day story has ended very differently from how Manchester United supporters may have hoped.
The move to Old Trafford will not happen this time.
Louis Page is staying at Leicester City, with Manchester United deciding to abandon their deadline-day pursuit after failing to reach an agreement with the Foxes.
Abdulhafiz Teslim
admin
