Thursday 1 August 2019 20:26, UK
Manchester United could persuade Leicester to sell Harry Maguire if they agree to pay the "magic figure" of £80m, according to Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett.
SSN understands both United and Manchester City are interested in signing the England defender, but that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are leading the chase.
United are believed to be willing to pay £80m, which would eclipse the current world-record £75m Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk last year.
Dorsett believes this could be enough to break the impasse with Leicester, even though the Foxes are not keen to sell Maguire before Thursday's Premier League transfer window deadline.
He told The Transfer Show: "Leicester are really relaxed about this, despite the fact Harry Maguire has made it clear to them he wants to leave. They've got him on a four-year contract and Brendan Rodgers sees him as integral to the squad.
"But they would be prepared to let him go if this extraordinary amount [£80m] comes in. We know there are discussions going on between Manchester United and Leicester.
"If that offer is slapped on the table, it's difficult for Leicester to turn it down, especially when they know the player wants to leave.
"I've always been told throughout this process that £80m was the magic figure for Leicester to do business. It seems as though United are prepared to go there so this could happen quite quickly."
If Maguire does secure a move to United, Dorsett says Leicester have already identified two fellow English centre-backs who could replace the 26-year-old.
"They've looked at (James) Tarkowski at Burnley and Lewis Dunk at Brighton," he revealed. "There's been no approaches for either of those because they don't think they need them yet.
"It's my understanding Brendan Rodgers would prefer Tarkowski because he thinks he's a better ball-player and can play out from the back - a bit more akin to Harry Maguire.
"But they would balk at the asking price, which we understand would be around £40m. They don't want to make a big profit on Harry Maguire and then over-pay on a replacement."
It's Transfer Deadline Day for the Premier League and Championship on Thursday August 8 and Sky Sports will be bringing you all the latest news on who your club is signing.
Start your day with Deadline Day Breakfast (6am) ahead of a special Good Morning Transfers show (9am), with Deadline Day - The Countdown (4pm) taking you to the 5pm deadline. The Transfer Show - Deadline Day at 6pm will analyse the big moves before Deadline Day at Ten rounds up all the transfer headlines.
As well as tuning into Sky Sports News, don't miss a thing with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
