Manchester United are ‘confident’ of beating rivals Manchester City to the signing of Leicester’s Harry Maguire.
The Manchester duo are battling to sign the England international this summer, with Leicester demanding a world-record fee for a defender to part with their prized asset.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are believed to be demanding a fee in the region of £80m for the 26-year-old, however according to the Evening Standard, United are confident they have to finances to win the race and bring Maguire to Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to land a commanding centre-back to partner Victor Lindelof this summer, following a disappointing season which saw the club miss out on qualification for the Champions League.
Manchester United‘s 54 goals conceded last season was their worst defensive record in Premier League history, and the club are also keen on a deal for Crystal Palace full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka as they bolster their defensive options.
Meanwhile, Man City are also in the market for a central defender following the departure of club captain Vincent Kompany to Anderlecht, with Pep Guardiola said to have also identified Maguire as a key target in the summer window.
Any deal for Maguire would likely see City break their transfer record, which is currently the £60m deal which took Riyad Mahrez to the Etihad from Leicester last summer, although the report claims ‘they won’t go near’ Leicester’s current valuation.
The Foxes are under no pressure to sell Maguire, who only signed a new five-year contract with the club last summer, though are ready to allow the former Hull City defender to leave should they receive a suitable bid.
See also – Five of the Premier League’s most drawn out transfer sagas
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