Manchester United have been handed a potential boost in their pursuit of Leicester City starlet Louis Page. The Red Devils have been credited with an interest in signing Page this summer, following the Foxes' relegation to League One.
Page left out of squad
As reported by Leicestershire Live, Page was left out of the Leicester squad for their League One opener against Notts County this weekend. However, it's been reported that the 18-year-old's absence was not related to an impending transfer to Old Trafford.
Martin confirms bid rejected
Leicester boss Russell Martin confirmed earlier this week that the club had turned down a bid for Page, although it was not specified if this was from United or another club. Martin said: "Until something comes in that is really brilliant for the club and player and everyone is happy, then Louis stays and he's in the squad."
Pressed further on Page, he confirmed: "That's [the interest] been well-documented, yeah. We turned down an offer for Louis. There's been a lot of chat all summer about him from various clubs. We had one offer from a club, and that was turned down."
Leicester's stance on transfers
Expanding on the situation, Martin said: "We're really relaxed about it; we don't have to sell anyone. I think if we choose to, it'll be because it's right for everyone."
"I've said this so many times. It'll be right for the player; it's something they want to do; it's right for us because we have enough money that makes it work for us; and it means we can place them, and we're ready to replace them. So the stance will be the same on any player, whether it's Louis or anyone. There's no club in world football that isn't a selling club, unless you're one of the really big guns at the top of the Premier League."
"Everyone has a price, but clubs are nowhere near the prices for our players at the minute, and there's more than them [Page and Harry Souttar] that we've turned down from, there's been more offers for other players, but the club's not in a rush and doesn't need to do it. We'll only do it when it's really right for us."
Martin has also made reference to United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, this week, having previously worked alongside the executive at Southampton. When quizzed about Page, he remarked: "Louis's a really fantastic young player."
"I obviously know their director of football [Jason Wilcox] at Manchester United very well after spending some time with him at Southampton. We haven't actually spoke on Louis because he probably knows what I'd say to him and tell him to go away!"
