Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City are having second thoughts over a move for Leicester City defender Harry Maguire as the Foxes want in excess of £90m for the centre-back, sources have told Metro.co.uk.
Pep Guardiola has identified the England international as a replacement for Vincent Kompany, who announced his departure from the club after a 6-0 victory against Watford in the FA Cup final.
City, like United, had been keen on Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt but there is a belief that the Dutchman has already agreed to join Barcelona and City are unwilling to get dragged into a saga they feel they cannot win.
United have not given up hope on de Ligt but have privately conveyed the same message as City that they feel the 19-year-old is heading for the Camp Nou.
Both clubs, therefore, will focus on new targets and Maguire heads the list of alternatives.
Jose Mourinho was keen on signing the former Hull City star last summer but Ed Woodward was unwilling to sanction a £75m move for the defender, feeling that it was an inflated price based on a handful of impressive performances for England at the World Cup.
However, Maguire’s performances this season dispelled any claims that his World Cup form was a flash in the pan and he caught Guardiola’s eye during an impressive performance in the Foxes’ 1-0 defeat at the Etihad in May.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had not prioritised a move for a centre-back this summer, believing instead that other areas of his squad required more urgent attention.
But the Norwegian has been told the club will sanction a potentially-world record move for a centre-back with the ‘right profile’.
However, while Maguire has his admirers at Old Trafford, Leicester’s £90m valuation is considered excessive and the Red Devils are likely to seek a cheaper alternative.
Similarly, City are only prepared to pay around £70m for Maguire but will not be held to ransom as Guardiola is prepared to pair John Stones with Aymeric Laporte next term.
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