Manchester United 'willing to pay £80m for Maguire'

Manchester United have reportedly agreed to pay a world-record sum for a defender in order to land Leicester City's Harry Maguire in the latter stages of the transfer window.

The Red Devils have been strongly linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer, although it has been claimed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have struggled to agree a fee with the Foxes.

Leicester are believed to want a world-record fee for a defender, eclipsing the £75m that Liverpool paid to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018.

According to Sky Sports News, United have now signalled that they are willing to pay up to £80m for the former Sheffield United youngster, although Brendan Rodgers's side could still demand as much as £90m.

Maguire, who played a key role in England reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, has been involved in Leicester's preparations for the 2019-20 campaign.

United now face a race against the clock to complete a deal before the window closes on August 8.