Manchester United are reportedly preparing a move to sign Barcelona ace Samuel Umtiti in case their deal for Harry Maguire falls through.

Maguire has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s number one defensive target since the start of the summer and the 26-year-old defender has told Leicester that he wants to push through a switch to Old Trafford.

It’s understood United are closing in on an £80million agreement for Maguire after a breakthrough in talks in recent days, but executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has his eye on a number of alternatives should the move collapse.

According to Le 10 Sport, Umtiti has emerged as a serious target for the Red Devils and discussions have taken place with Barca over a potential transfer for the France international.

The report claims that United are prepared to pay €50m (£46m) for Umtiti as a possible back-up plan should they fail to land Maguire.

However, the La Liga champions are demanding a fee of at least €60m (£55m) for the World Cup-winner.

Umtiti lost his place as Gerard Pique’s first-choice centre-back partner to Clement Lenglet last season and could be tempted to join United where he would be guaranteed more regular game-time.

Maguire remains United’s priority target as deadline day encroaches and talk of the Englishman’s impending move intensified after he missed Leicester City training this week.

However, the Foxes maintain that Maguire has been suffering with an illness and this was the reason for him skipping Monday’s training session.

Maguire phoned in sick and was advised to stay at home while the rest of Leicester’s squad trained at the club’s Belvoir Drive Training Ground.

Maguire managed 90 minutes of Leicester’s 2-1 win over Stoke at the weekend and Rodgers praised his attitude amid the intense speculation.

‘He’s been brilliant since the first day of pre-season,’ Rodgers said.

‘There’s a lot of speculation around Harry but he’s just got on with it.

https://metro.co.uk/2019/07/30/manchester-united-plot-transfer-move-samuel-umtiti-harry-maguire-alternative-10490724/amp/

My own is to get that team working next season

80 million ! That’s more than what Nigeria league players earn combined!

Fake news.

Why will Baca sell Umtiti when there is no better replacement especially if Lenglet is out.

The way players are so costly in the transfer market, I don't understand again

They should sell him sef ... He don dey flop.

This club just keeps breaking my heart.

Transfer window is almost over and we don't have a formidable midfield/attack set up yet.

Maguire is still the better choice

My club yaf suffer, Umtiti bii ti boo

lol...fake news

umtiti is going nowhere

NICE MOVE

that fucking slab head should fuckoff 90m is too much umtiti is better for that price my only fear is umtiti is injury prone and will get Dem plenty already in United apart from that I think he is better than the English slab head

I weep for my beloved team

Its not only umtiti, we will dash u pique too for free......IDIOTS....see their mouths like umtiti

we dey wait

logon599:
Leicester City are demanding £90m for Maguire.
I hope PSG are happy now that they've spoilt the transfer market for everybody

My brother, the thing weak me no be small. every club wants to make millions from their below average players. Liecester is right, if Man U could pay 50 mill for Wan-Bissaka then Liecester should be demanding even more for Maguire

Umtiti is still solid

man u might finish below wolves this season since they are struggling to bring in their first choice target

For an average player?

She Barca tell them say them want sell am?

diji04:
that fucking slab head should fuckoff 90m is too much umtiti is better for that price my only fear is umtiti is injury prone and will get Dem plenty already in United apart from that I think he is better than the English slab head

he is no where near Maguire . Maguire will be a top defender if he is in Barcelona or anyother big club

Chelsea will always deal with them.. Nonsense..if una like employ puyol, u won't go anywhere near the EPL trophy.. Ur times are out MANURE.. NONSENSE

all these matches man Utd ar just winning anyhow in preseason, honestly ayam not understanding, at the end of the season they will finish 6th in the table, I don't trust Ole at all

Naijaguy123:
80 million ! That’s more than what Nigeria league players earn combined!

Don't think Nigeria league is mentioned..

Maguire is a flop. I wonder what Jose Mourinho is smoking to spend such huge amount on a bech warmer.

Jose Mourinho is out to bury United cos this move.

Nonsense