Man United consider fresh Harry Maguire bid that could break club’s transfer record

Premier signing | Maguire's top-flight experience appeals to Man United
PA/Yui Mok

Manchester United are considering reviving interest in Harry Maguire.

Jose Mourinho targeted the Leicester City defender last summer as part of his desperate search for a top class centre back.

Now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could reignite that pursuit after being given the go ahead by Ed Woodward to pay a club record fee for a defender this summer.

Man United’s executive vice chairman accepts that’s what it will take to dramatically improve their rearguard after a series of relatively cut-price additions in that department over the past decade.

It has been noted among Old Trafford’s hierarchy that Virgil van Dijk has had a transformative effect on Liverpool - and even acknowledged that the £75million spent on the Holland international and PFA Player of the Year now looks like a bargain.

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There were concerns last summer that Leicester’s £60m valuation of Maguire was inflated on the back of his impressive World Cup.

But another outstanding season has only enhanced the England international’s reputation and impressed United scouts, who have continued to monitor him.

Kalidou Koulibaly has been United’s long-term first choice central defensive target, but Napoli have so far rejected all advances for the Senegal international.

United are also continuing to monitor Raphael Varane’s situation at Real Madrid - although failure to qualify for the Champions League will not help their cause.

Milan Skriniar and Alessio Romagnoli have also been extensively scouted.

Maguire in action against Man City Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble
REUTERS/Phil Noble

But Maguire’s Premier League pedigree will appeal to Solskjaer, who wants to add experience to his underperforming squad, as well as youth.

United have trailed behind their rivals when it comes to investment in defence.

Manchester City spent a combined fee of almost £100m on John Stones and Aymeric Laporte - and the same again on full backs Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy.

Liverpool, meanwhile, made Van Dijk the most expensive defender in history when signing him from Southampton last season.

By comparison Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly cost United £61m combined.

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An issue for Solskjær is the number of central defenders he already has on his books - and it is likely he will have to offload at least one during the upcoming window.

That will be made all the more difficult by the decision to hand long-term contracts to Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones over the past 12 months.

Bailly’s medial ligament damage, which will keep him out of the Africa Cup Nations, could also rule him out of a move in the short term.

Arsenal are among the clubs beloved to be interested in the Ivory Coast international, but United are reluctant to sell to a Premier League rival.

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