Harry Maguire fears Leicester are pricing him out of a dream move to Manchester United by slapping an unrealistic price tag on his head, sources have told ESPN FC.
United have seen an offer totalling more than £70 million rejected by Leicester, who are believed to want more than £90m for the England defender.
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Both United and Maguire believe the club have made a bid above Maguire’s market value and feel Leicester have failed to compromise despite the player’s desire to move to Old Trafford.
United have just nine days to complete the deal but have insisted privately they will not pay £90m for the 26-year-old, who moved to the King Power Stadium from Hull City for £12m two years ago.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made Maguire his top defensive target but there remains interest in Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.
Maguire has told Leicester he would like the opportunity to discuss terms with United. Although he missed training because of illness on Monday, he is not prepared to agitate publicly for a move but Leicester are running the risk of keeping an unhappy player if a deal with United cannot be reached.
Meanwhile, sources have told ESPN FC that Romelu Lukaku is growing increasingly frustrated with Inter Milan over his proposed move to the Serie A side.
The striker wants to link up with Antonio Conte at the San Siro but has been left disappointed that Inter have so far only valued him at £54m.
United are holding out for more than £80m, a valuation Lukaku believes is fair given that he cost £75m from Everton in 2017 and has scored 42 goals in 96 games in two seasons at United.
Lukaku did not travel with the rest of Solskjaer’s squad to Oslo on Monday ahead of a friendly with Kristiansund because of injury. The Belgium international, along with Matteo Darmian, have stayed behind to train at Carrington instead of making the trip to Norway.
Lukaku picked up an ankle injury during the tour of Australia and the Far East and is yet to make an appearance during preseason.
Darmian, who wants to leave Old Trafford this summer, is also injured and missed the 2-1 win over Tottenham in Shanghai last week.