Leicester City have promised Harry Maguire that he can leave the club if Manchester United or Manchester City pay a world record fee for the defender.

Maguire has informed manager Brendan Rodgers and Leicester’s squad of his desire to pursue a move to either of the Manchester clubs, in talks at the club’s training base in France.

The England international will not attempt to force through a move with a formal transfer request and has promised to remain professional if Leicester’s price tag is not met.

United are reluctant to pay a fee which will be higher than the £75million Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in January last year and it is understood the two clubs are still some way from agreeing a deal. Leicester want between £80m and £90m and have made that clear during negotiations.

Manchester City have also baulked at Leicester’s demands, and Maguire is now facing an anxious wait before the transfer deadline on August 8.

Leicester, however, have assured the 26 year old they will not stand in his way if either of the two clubs pay the fee required. Talks are understood to have been amicable and Leicester do not anticipate any mutiny from Maguire, who is a popular member of the dressing room.