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Leicester City have not agreed a world-record fee with Manchester United for the sale of Harry Maguire but the centre-back hopes a deal can be reached, LeicestershireLive understands.

Reports that an £80 million United offer has been accepted are premature, with no formal bid received by City.

However, it is understood Maguire would like to move to Old Trafford, though the 26-year-old is aware that a price needs to be met for a deal to be struck.

City remain relaxed about the situation and are unlikely to accept approaches below the £75m Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk, which currently stands as the world-record fee for a defender.

Maguire is thought to be United's chief defensive target and this weekend their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was "optimistic" of completing deals in the near future.

Further reports that City had agreed to sign Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk as Maguire’s replacement are also wide of the mark.

The club are well-stocked for central defenders, with Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu, Filip Benkovic, Wes Morgan and a handful of promising youngsters available to manager Brendan Rodgers, but if Maguire leaves before the window shuts on Thursday, August 8, City would consider bringing in a replacement if the right deal can be made.

However, they would not begin the process of recruiting a new centre-back until Maguire is sold.

The England centre-back returned to pre-season training this week, joining the City squad for their week-long camp in Evian, France.

Maguire is understood to have trained well and has remained professional despite his hopes of a transfer.

City have now returned from France and begin their schedule of pre-season fixtures on Tuesday when they take on League Two side Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.

Maguire may not be involved as Rodgers could choose to field players who have completed both weeks of pre-season training, meaning the likes of Ben Chilwell, Kasper Schmeichel and Jonny Evans could also be left out.