Manchester United Reportedly Approach Leicester over Harry Maguire Transfer

Manchester United have reportedly made their move for Leicester City defender Harry Maguire.

According to Sky Sports News, the Red Devils have approached their Premier League rivals regarding the potential signing of the England international:

"We understand United value the player, who starred in England's summer World Cup campaign, at around £65 million," Sky Sports said in a separate report. "Maguire is due to return from holiday in the next few days and is understood to be keen to make the move to Old Trafford."

It's added that Leicester do not want to lose the defender, especially after selling key player Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City already this summer.

Maguire only joined the Foxes a year ago from Hull City and enjoyed a fine campaign at the heart of the team's defence. The 25-year-old settled in immediately at the King Power Stadium and went on to win the club's Player of the Year prize.

The reward for that excellent form was a call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and Maguire was excellent during the tournament, defending with diligence and providing composure on the ball at the base of the team.

As ESPN's Alex Shaw noted, it's been a rapid rise to the top:

If a transfer to United does go ahead, that rise will continue for Maguire, as he would surely be entrusted with being the key figure at the back for Jose Mourinho's team.

Finding that defensive leader has been a massive issue for the United manager since Mourinho's arrival in 2016. He's spent big money on Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof in an attempt to add a mainstay in this area, while the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo have all shown weaknesses when given chances in the side.

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Maguire would bring something different, as he's aggressive in the air and is tuned in to attacking movements. Crucially, he's better on the ball than any of the Red Devils' defensive options, as Maguire can stride forward in possession and play passes into midfield, as these figures illustrate:

The £65 million fee is undoubtedly eye-catching, especially given Leicester only paid £17 million to sign him from Hull last summer.

The move would surely be appealing for the player, whose stock is high after his World Cup performances. With that in mind, the chance to make the switch to an enormous club like United may not come around again.

If United are going to get this one done, then the first game of the Premier League season could be fascinating. The transfer window closes on the eve of United's clash with Leicester on August 10 in the 2018-19 curtain-raiser.