United 'to launch £60m bid for Leicester's Maguire in January

In the wake of their poor defensive record at the start of the current campaign, Manchester United are prepared to stump up the £60 million asking price for Leicester City centre-half Harry Maguire. 

The England man had an excellent individual season last term, and after following it up with a solid showing at the World Cup this summer, his stock has only continued to rise.

Leicester stood firm over the 'Red Devils' approach for one of their key men for the duration of the summer; even strengthening their hand by convincing the in demand defender to sign a new five year deal at the King Power.

And so if United are to prise Maguire away from Leicester, it is being reported that they will have to pay at least £60 million for the privilege. 

United manager Jose Mourinho's lack of confidence in the existing defensive options has been well documented, and so it seems that the club will do whatever it takes to land Maguire, in order to appease their manager and hopefully see a dramatic improvement in their team's form. 

Clearly a club of United's financial power can more than cover the 'modest' £75,000-a-week wages commanded by Maguire, and the lure of European Football would surely tempt Maguire to move north to Manchester. 

Maguire even highlighted his desire to play regular European football in an interview with the 'Premier League Show' earlier this year, saying: "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."

Leicester would not be the only beneficiary if United agree to pay the £60 million fee for Maguire, championship club Hull City would earn £9m windfall, thanks to a sell-on clause that was inserted in the defenders departure in 2017.