Man Utd transfer news: Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Willian

Hurry for Harry

Jose Mourinho has his eye on England defender Harry Maguire but time is running out for the Manchester United manager to make his move.

The Daily Mail says that Mourinho has more than a passing interest in the Leicester centre-back, believing that Maguire has the commanding presence that his Old Trafford defence desperately needs.

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Do the Foxes have the finances?

That will mean offloading one of existing defenders and the Mail identifies Phil Jones and Chris Smalling as the men most likely to be axed for the World Cup star.

Leicester are aware of United’s interest and “will improve Maguire’s wages to around £75,000 in a bid to tie him down for another season”, but that weekly sum might not be enough to fight off United’s financial muscle.

Consequently, says the Mail, Foxes boss Claude Puel is looking at Barcelona’s Yerry Mina and Chelsea’s Gary Cahill as potential replacements for Maguire.

Mental toughness

Maguire, who only arrived at the King Power stadium last year in a £17m move from Hull City, has become one of the hottest properties in the English game after his standout performances in the World Cup and the Mail says Mourinho was mightily impressed by his “mental toughness”.

But time is of the essence for the United manager, adds the paper, which notes that the transfer window closes early this summer - on 9 August - just a few days after Maguire and his England teammates are due back from their summer holidays.

Trigger warning

The Sunday Mirror says that United are “ready to trigger Anthony Martial’s contract extension clause” in order to keep him at Old Trafford until 2020.

The French frontman impressed for the Red Devils in their opening game of their US tour (a 1-1 draw with Club America in Phoenix), and Mourinho hasn’t given up on the 22-year-old despite his inconsistency in the past.

The Mirror says Martial grew “disillusioned” last season because of his lack of game time, and that put Spurs and Juventus on alert, but apparently United “have no intention of offloading him” and the club will trigger the extension clause and reassure the youngster that he is still very much part of their plans for the future.

But there comes a warning in The Sun, who claim that Bayern Munich and Chelsea are now circling Martial with a view to making a summer swoop.

Chelsea consider Barca bid for Willian

The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea will hold a meeting to discuss Barcelona’s £65m bid for playmaker Willian.

The Brazilian is also wanted by United but Chelsea “would prefer to sell abroad rather than to a Premier League rival”, says the Mail.

United are expected to make a rival offer for the 29-year-old but “the lure of Barcelona is strong”.