Manchester United's pursuit of Harry Maguire is threatening to drag into the final week of the transfer window, with the club still reluctant to pay Leicester's asking price of around £90 million.

Maguire has told Leicester's board and management staff that he is keen to move to Old Trafford but at this stage United are unwilling to meet the fee demanded by Leicester.

As reported by Telegraph Sport on July 2, Leicester are seeking a world-record fee for a defender, understood to be an initial £85m plus add-ons, which would smash the £75m paid out by Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk in January last year.

Leicester informed United, and Manchester City, of the price during initial talks back in May and that figure will not be lowered or increased before the transfer deadline next Thursday.

Maguire, 26, will be cleared to leave if any club meets the valuation but as of Tuesday night, it is understood United are still some way from making any progress.

United believe Leicester's expectations are unrealistic, after having a £60m bid for the England defender turned down earlier this month.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James in this summer window and has targeted Maguire as one of his priorities ahead of his first full season as manager.

Maguire missed training on Monday with a stomach bug but returned on Tuesday and sources insist his attitude and professionalism have remained "exemplary".

Leicester say Harry Maguire's attitude and professionalism have remained "exemplary" credit: getty images

He told Brendan Rodgers, the Leicester manager, of his desire to move to United during Leicester's pre-season training camp in France this month.

But Maguire has played in four friendlies so far - scoring in the 3-0 win at Cambridge United - and is set to feature in the game against Atalanta on Friday night at the King Power Stadium.