Manchester United step up defender pursuit as they prepare lucrative terms
Manchester United are reportedly confident of striking a deal for Leicester defender Harry Maguire as talks continue.
The England centre-back is at the top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wanted list as he looks to reinforce his backline ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Manchester City have also expressed interest, but the Daily Mail reports that the Red Devils are optimistic of securing his signature.
The Old Trafford hierarchy will back Solskjaer’s vision with a lucrative contract offer for the 26-year-old.
However, negotiations continue to take place as the clubs look to bridge the gap in valuation, with Leicester setting an £85 million price tag but the Red Devils looking to close a deal for around £75m.
Maguire’s preference was originally to join City, but the Etihad club don’t want to meet the Foxes’ demands – giving their neighbours the upper hand.
Leicester aren’t interested in a cash-plus-players deal, which United have proposed, but the King Power hierarchy have begun to consider replacements including £40m-rated pair Lewis Dunk and James Tarkowski.
Now read...
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Bargains! 11 of football's best free transfers EVER
Quiz! Can you name the top three all-time goalscorers for every current Premier League club?
Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.