Manchester United ready to launch fresh £60m bid for Leicester ace Harry Maguire in January
England's World Cup favourite penned a new five-year contract extension in September following United's interest in the summer
MANCHESTER UNITED are willing to shell out £60million for Harry Maguire in January.
The England centre-half, 25, signed a new five-year deal with Leicester in September after interest from Jose Mourinho’s men.
But United are ready to test the Foxes’ resolve again this winter and would be able to double Maguire’s £75,000-a-week wages.
Boss Mourinho was frustrated in the summer when executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward did not sign a new centre-back.
But Maguire has remained on the Red Devils’ radar and they are now ready to make an offer, irrespective of whether under-pressure Mourinho keeps his job or not.
Leicester will be desperate to cling on to their Three Lions star and wanted more than £70m for him after his World Cup heroics.
But United believe they can do a deal at £60m, which would make him the second most expensive defender in the world, after Liverpool’s £75m Dutchman Virgil van Dijk.
Maguire would be keen on the move to Old Trafford and if it does not happen in January, he could still make the switch next summer.
Asked on the BBC’s Premier League Show last week what would happen if one of the big boys came in for him, Maguire admitted: “It would be a difficult one.
“I am an ambitious player. If you’re not an ambitious footballer you are in the wrong game.
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“Everyone wants to play at the top level, everyone wants to play the biggest tournaments in the world and obviously the Champions League is one.
“I do want to win trophies. I want to win trophies for my country and I want to win trophies at club level.”
Maguire joined Leicester in a £17million deal from Hull in June 2017.
The Championship Tigers, who are up for sale, are due 15 per cent of Maguire’s next move, so would be in for a £9m windfall if the proposed £60m transfer goes through.