The player has been heavily linked with a summer exit
Manchester United are looking to bolster their squad in the transfer window after an underwhelming campaign last season, not winning a single silverware. They finished second in the Premier League, 19 points behind Manchester City.
The Red Devils were expected to be busy in the summer transfer window and they have already completed three signings, teenage full-back Diogo Dalot has signed from Porto, while a £52.5 million fee has been agreed with Shakhtar Donetsk for Brazil international Fred and Lee Grant from Stoke City.
Despite having the most clean sheets and the second best defensive record in the Premier League last term, Jose Mourinho was not happy as he had to rely on auxiliary full-backs and failed to settle on a consistent central defensive axis due to injuries and inconsistency.
The Portuguese manager is targeting a top class centre-back this summer despite spending big on defenders in the past two years. He is even willing to delay a move for a left-back and stick with Ashley Young and Luke Shaw this season.
The Premier League giants have been heavily linked with a move for Leicester City star Harry Maguire.
The England International joined the Foxes from Hull City on a five-year contract for an initial £12 million fee, potentially rising to £17 million with add-ons last summer.
The 25 year old featured regularly last term and was very impressive, scoring two goals and assisted 6 in 46 appearances. He featured in all the 38 Premier League matches and won the club’s player of the year award.
The centre-back has been one of the standout performers in England’s march to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia but were knocked out by Croatia.
His valuation has rocketed since his impressive World Cup campaign and journalist Duncan Castles claims Leicester will now hold out for £75 million, same amount Liverpool paid for Virgil Van Dijk. He claims the Anfield Outfit are affecting United’s pursuit of Maguire.
“From what I’m told, the pricing, if there is to be a price for him, will be £75m – they value him at the same level as Virgil van Dijk,” Castles told the Transfer Window podcast as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“That should probably give you an indication about why Jose Mourinho is reluctant to go down that route.
“From what I’m told, the pricing, if there is to be a price for him, will be £75m – they value him at the same level as Virgil van Dijk,” Castles told the Transfer Window podcast.
“That should probably give you an indication about why Jose Mourinho is reluctant to go down that route.
“So, we’ve got these last few days of the window and Manchester United are scrabbling around trying to satisfy their manager to a certain extent, and what they are doing is going to impact on the other Premier League clubs who are chasing a centre-back.”
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