Former England boss believes £80m man can be Man Utd’s Van Dijk

Oli Fisher
Virgil Van Dijk TEAMtalk

Former England boss Sam Allardyce has compared defender Harry Maguire to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk amid links with Manchester United.

The 26-year-old has been at the centre of speculation all summer with United leading neighbours Manchester City, with both believed to be keen to land the centre-back.

The Foxes have reportedly turned down bids in the region of £70million for Maguire and want a world-record fee for a defender if he is to be allowed to leave the King Power Stadium. The record currently stands at the £75million Liverpool paid for Virgil Van Dijk.

United are understood to have submitted an opening £70million bid earlier this month, while there were claims on Monday that an improved bid of £80m had been accepted.

Rodgers has repeatedly said the club have no desire to sell Maguire and praised his professionalism.

The record currently stands at the £75million Liverpool paid for Van Dijk and Allardyce reckons Maguire is “similar” to the Dutch international.

“I think he’s worth £70m-£75m,” Allardyce told talkSPORT.

“He’s similar to Van Dijk, he’s very good on the ball and he comes out from the back.

“Van Dijk looks a little better since he’s gone to Liverpool and I think it would take Maguire to another level going to Manchester United and bring more out of him.

“It would be a massive move for him, but Leicester, they don’t have to sell.

“They’ve always hung out for the fee they want and got there in the end, so if United don’t have another alternative, I’m afraid they might have to pay a bit more than they expected.”

 

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