Harry Maguire has played in a World Cup semifinal and become one of the most highly rated defenders in the Premier League, but even his most ardent supporters would struggle to argue that he is the very best at his position.

Yet if Leicester get their way and force Manchester United to pay in excess of £80 million, the 26-year-old will become the most expensive defender in the world. That would eclipse the £75m that Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk -- not only the world's best defender...

Manchester United are "miles away" from meeting Leicester City's £80 million valuation for England defender Harry Maguire, sources have told ESPN FC.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified the 26-year-old as the solution to his team's defensive problems after initially targeting Ajax and Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt, who is close to completing a move to Juventus.

- When does the transfer window close?
- All major completed transfer deals

But having made an initial offer...