Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'make £45m Nikola Milenkovic bid'

By Barney Corkhill, EditorPublished: 11 July 2019 8:26 AM

Manchester United reportedly make a £45m bid for Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic as they eye possible alternatives to Harry Maguire.

Manchester United have lodged a £45m bid for Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, according to a report.

United are known to be in the market for a new central defender this summer, with Leicester City's Harry Maguire understood to be their number one target.

However, the Foxes are reluctant to sell the England international and their asking price of up to £90m has forced United to consider other targets to bolster their backline.

The Daily Star reports that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Milenkovic as a possible alternative, having also been interested in the 21-year-old during the January transfer window.

United are understood to have made an unsuccessful £36m approach for the defender earlier this year, but they have now reportedly returned with an improved offer of £45m.

Maguire remains the Red Devils' first choice centre-back target, though, and they are still hopeful of agreeing a £75m deal after rivals Manchester City pulled out of the race for his signature.