Leicester City are determined to fight off Manchester United’s interest in England defender Harry Maguire as Jose Mourinho elects not to deny Anthony Martial a move if he really is unhappy at Old Trafford.

United have made Maguire their first-choice transfer target as they look to strengthen their defence, but time is against them and Leicester do not want to lose another one of their key players after selling Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City earlier this month.

The transfer window will close for English clubs on August 9th and Leicester are trying to resist United’s attempts to lure Maguire away, just a year after he signed from Hull City for £17.5m.

Instead of leaving for Manchester, Leicester are trying to persuade Maguire to sign a new contract with them on vastly improved terms, believed to be in the region of £80,000-a-week. United are not likely to be deterred, but the early close to the window favours Leicester.

As things stand, a formal bid has not been made for the 25-year-old, who was one of England’s best players as they reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, but this is an uncomfortable time for the Midlands club.