Leicester City's Harry Maguire
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Manchester United willing to pay £80m for Maguire

Manchester United are apparently prepared to make Leicester’s Harry Maguire the world’s most expensive defender.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been tracking the England international throughout the summer, seeing an opening offer of rejected, though Manchester United are now ready to return with a record bid.

All summer long, the media have been reporting that the Red Devils were reluctant to pay more than £70 million for Maguire’s services, but according to Sky Sports, that stance has now changed.

They report that they are now prepared to pay £80m for the 26-year-old, a fee which would eclipse the £75m deal that took Virgil van Dijk from Southampton to Liverpool in 2018.

Leicester are under no pressure to sell the player, with their stance remaining that Maguire is not for sale unless they receive a record fee, though United’s willingness to do so could see talks progress over the coming days, although Sky add that the Foxes now want £90m for their centre-back.

Maguire, who has four years remaining on his contract, is keen on a move to Old Trafford and has informed Leicester of his desire to leave. The former Hull City defender is keen to play European football, and is hopeful a deal can be concluded before the transfer window shuts on August 8.

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