Football News: Chelsea target Manchester United captain Harry Maguire

According to reports, the Blues want to talk about signing Harry Maguire as part of a stunning swap deal with Manchester United that could send Christian Pulisic the other way to Old Trafford.

Chelsea has been looking for another central defender to play alongside Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly at the back. Still, top target Wesley Fofana has proven out of reach as Leicester digs their heels in.

England international Maguire has emerged as a surprise target for the Blues, who are looking to bolster their back line after spending £63 million on Brighton winger Marc Cucurella.

Following United's poor start to the season, there have been suggestions that Maguire's place in Ten Hag's starting XI against Jurgen Klopp's side could be in jeopardy.

Chelsea is desperate for a centre-half, which could be a ploy to get Leicester City to play ball over Wesley Fofana. It isn't easy to believe the Foxes won't give in to the Frenchman eventually, especially after he asked not to play against Southampton on Saturday.

What is Chelsea offering Manchester United?

Chelsea has made an unexpected approach for Maguire, and the Blues would be willing to sign the centre-back as part of a swap deal that could see Pulisic move in the opposite direction.

Manchester United have already expressed an interest in the USMNT captain and is planning to see if he is available on loan in the final two weeks of the transfer window.

Chelsea has now raised the prospect of bringing Maguire to west London as part of Manchester United's deal for Pulisic.

Chelsea's priority remains Fofana, and despite Leicester rejecting two bids, there is still hope for the Frenchman.

As he continues to press for a move to Stamford Bridge, Fofana has been left out of Leicester's squad to face Southampton this weekend (Saturday at 3 pm).

He is said to be frustrated by the Foxes' determination to keep him, even though he has been under contract for a long time.

As he prepares to make a late push for France's World Cup squad in Qatar, Fofana sees Chelsea as the ideal next step in his development.

Brendan Rodgers is adamant that Leicester will not sell their central defender, though a third offer in the region of £80 million could tip the scales.

Maguire has struggled again this season at Old Trafford, having started both United's opening two defeats to Brighton and Brentford.

Erik ten Hag is expected to substitute Raphael Varane for his captain when Liverpool visits on Monday night.

The Manchester United captain's new partnership with £57 million signing Lisandro Martinez had looked unconvincing and was ruthlessly exposed by the Bees. The latter put four goals past David de Gea in west London last Saturday when they shredded Ten Hag's backline.

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