Manchester United Transfer News: Leicester City Rule out Harry Maguire Sale

Manchester United have reportedly put Harry Maguire at the top of their list of summer transfer targets, even though Leicester City have ruled out selling the centre-back.

A report from Dave Armitage of the Daily Star said United, along with Premier League rivals Manchester City, are ready to compete for the England international defender who is rated at £50 million.

Armitage also noted how north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur "are believed to have had £40 million enquiries knocked back in the January transfer window."

However, Leicester manager Claude Puel has sought to quiet the rumours by denying Maguire will be available, per BBC Sport:

"He is a valuable player for us. It is just speculation. He came into Leicester and played and developed and he needs to continue to improve.

"He's a young player with fantastic attributes, an international player, and it is a good thing to have this player at Leicester. He is an important player for us and it is important to give him a good feeling for the future, to build a good team around him and to keep a good ambition for the future."

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The Foxes sound determined to keep Maguire in the fold, despite the growing list of suitors. United have been on that list for a while, with more than one link emerging in recent months.

Maguire is seen as the ideal replacement for fellow Three Lions defender Chris Smalling at Old Trafford, according to Steve Bates of the Sunday People. In February, the Daily Mirror's Adrian Kajumba reported how the player had caught the eye of United manager Jose Mourinho.

Addressing issues at the back doesn't seem like an obvious priority for Mourinho, not when the Red Devils have conceded just 26 goals in 33 league matches. It makes United the second-stingiest defence in England's top flight behind only champions City.

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Yet the numbers only tell a half-truth about United's solidity at the back. The work goalkeeper David De Gea does to routinely save his team reveals a different story.

Mourinho is aware of any defensive frailties, though. Earlier in April, Duncan Castles of the Sunday Times reported the Portuguese thinks the club's season has been undermined by a lack of talent at the back.

Maguire is more than capable of boosting the ability within the Reds' defensive ranks. Specifically, the 25-year-old is more comfortable in possession than either Smalling or Phil Jones.

An ability to launch attacks from deep isn't the only standout facet of Maguire's game. He's also aggressive, both in the air and on the deck, with few attackers able to outmuscle and outpace the former Hull City ace.

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Bolstering his defensive options would be a smart move from Mourinho, since his squad is loaded with attacking talent, albeit still lacking the right balance in forward areas.

Strikers Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez are all match-winners. United have the firepower to put up a stronger challenge for the title next season, provided there is greater consistency at the back in crunch matches.