Man Utd To Sign Barca's Umtiti If They Fail To Get Maguire

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.