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Chelsea will make a shock move for Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire if they are unable to sign Leicester defender Wesley Fofana.
The Blues’ pursuit of Fofana, 21, has seen the Foxes reject three separate bids for their prized asset.
Leicester sold Maguire to Manchester United for £80million in 2019 — a world-record fee for a defender — and they will not let the France Under-21s international leave for any less.
He has been left out of the squad for their past two games after failing to report for training one day last week.
Now the Evening Standard report that United skipper Maguire is Chelsea’s next target.
Maguire, 29, was left out of the Red Devils’ starting XI as they beat arch-rivals Liverpool 2-1 on Monday night.
While the England international is said to still be part of Erik ten Hag’s plans, he is no longer a first-choice starter.
He has experienced a difficult couple of seasons at Old Trafford, but the Blues have identified him as a realistic alternative option in the final week of the window.
Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly and Trevoh Chalobah — who is expected to head out on loan — are the only recognised centre-backs in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James can both play as part of a back three but Tuchel is desperate for defensive reinforcements.
It is not clear whether United would be open to a sale or how much they might ask for the defender.
In other news
The Mail say Newcastle have bid a club-record fee of £60m for Real Sociedad’s Swedish striker Alexander Isak.
Boss David Moyes confirmed that West Ham have made an offer for Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
West Ham, Southampton and Bournemouth have all been offered the chance to sign Arsenal utility man Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to The Mail.
