Leicester and England central defender, Harry Maguire could be headed for an exit from the club this summer if the employer is going to honour an agreement he reached with former Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha before is sudden death.
The defender who has been dearly wanted by Manchester United for some time and his advisors have been told the club will honour the promise even though they desperately want him to stay.
United are willing to go to £90million to land the 26-year-old England star while Premier League champions Manchester City are reluctant to go beyond £80million as they hunt a replacement for departed captain Vincent Kompany.
But while Leicester who is known to hold onto their players resisted all bids to sell Maguire last summer the star will be allowed to leave in this window.
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, son of Vichai who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash at City’s stadium last October, has told Maguire the Foxes will be true to their word if their valuation is met.
Maguire fancies a move to City and the chance to win multiple trophies under Pep Guardiola despite a longtime interest form their immediate neighbours Manchester United.
But City is baulking at paying what would be their biggest ever fee for Maguire after creating a club record when they signed Riyad Mahrez from Leicester for £60million last summer.
United, though, are pursuing Maguire and are willing to pay up as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revamps their defence which has been leaky for some time.
A source close to Maguire said: “United have been very aggressive in chasing Harry. They’ve made it clear they want him and are definitely keen to get him.”
Apart from Maguire, Solskjaer wants Crystal Palace full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has since told the side that he wants to move out currently on England U-21 duty at the European Championships in Italy.
A £40million bid has been rejected and although they are willing to increase their offer they won’t go to the £60million being demanded by Palace.
Palace point to City splashing over £50million on right-back Kyle Walker in 2017 but by the time he went to the Etihad former Spurs star Walker was a 27-year-old seasoned international with 27 England caps.
Wan-Bissaka, 21, is yet to win a full cap and United believe their offer is as good as Palace will get. But it’s believed Palace want straight cash and are holding firm on their £60million valuation of the Wan-Bissaka.
United are willing to trade defenders like Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah who spent a season on loan at Selhurst Park in 2017 n order for them to defenders.