Manchester City and Manchester United are resisting attempts to drag them into an auction for Harry Maguire.
The England centre back has been made available by Leicester at the right price – but neither club appears to be willing to pay the £80million the Foxes want, which would be a world record for a defender.
There is no evidence that United and City – the only serious contenders for Maguire’s signature – have been in contact over the matter.
But City, like other top European clubs, have made tacit agreements with rivals in the past to prevent expensive auctions developing.
MEN Sport reported two weeks ago that United had a £70million bid rejected by Leicester, and last night the Foxes boss claimed there had been a second bid from an unspecified club. The Foxes are saying they want an £80million fee, eclipsing the world record sum for a defender Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk.
However, neither club appears to be willing to go that high. It seems both Blues and Reds have placed similar valuations on Maguire and are not willing to budge much.
It would take a huge bid from United to break that unspoken agreement – City will definitely not go above what they think Maguire is worth.