Harry Maguire is set to become the world's most expensive defender after Manchester United agreed to pay Leicester City £80 million (Dh356m) according to media reports on Friday.
The 26-year-old central defender - coveted by United since he starred as England reached the World Cup semi-finals - is to undergo a medical at United over the weekend, according to Sky Sports and the BBC.
Maguire's fee out-strips Dutch international Matthijs van Ligt who in July moved to Juventus from Ajax for a combined fee of €75 million (Dh306.1m) plus €10.5m of add ons.
De Ligt's compatriot Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool £75m when he moved from Southampton in January 2018.
Maguire becomes United's third summer signing following full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, who arrived from Crystal Palace and Swansea City respectively.
Maguire made 69 Premier League appearances for Leicester after joining from Hull City in 2017 and signed a new five-year contract with the club managed by Brendan Rodgers last September.
United's transfer business is unlikely to stop there with a potential swap deal involving Argentinian striker Paulo Dybala joining them from Juventus and Belgian international Romelu Lukaku moving to the Italian champions.
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Who finishes where in 2019/20?
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20. Sheffield United. Chris Wilder, pictured, has achieved a great deal in getting the Blades up, but staying in the top flight could be a task too far. PA Photo -
19. Brighton & Hove Albion. Graham Potter, pictured, faces a tough ask after taking over as manager from Chris Hughton. Getty -
18. Newcastle United. A tough set of opening home fixtures could be difficult for Steve Bruce, pictured, and his side to recover from. Getty -
17. Norwich City. They need to tighten up defensively but the goals of Teemu Pukki, pictured, can keep them up. Getty -
16. Aston Villa. Jack Grealish, pictured, will have a key role to play in Villa's survival hopes. Getty -
15. Burnley. Sean Dyche's, pictured, team to have a steadier time of things after last season's early struggles. Reuters -
14. Bournemouth. Eddie Howe's side to maintain their attacking ethos though they will help Lloyd Kelly, pictured, can help shore things up at the other end. Getty -
13. Crystal Palace. Once again will be dependent on the goals of Wilfried Zaha, pictured. Reuters -
12. Watford. Concerns over a leaky defence but the quality of Gerard Deulofeu, pictured, should leave them in mid-table. AP Photo -
11. Southampton. Stability should come the Saints way under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, pictured. PA Photo -
10. Wolverhampton Wanderers. Balancing Europa League with domestic games may prove tough. Will look to more fine form from captain Conor Coady, pictured. Getty -
9. West Ham United. Should be another solid season with the hope Felipe Anderson, pictured, can kick on. Getty -
8. Everton. Bringing in Moise Kean, pictured, is a coup and should help Marco Silva's side continue to progress. Getty -
7. Leicester City. Signing Youri Tielemans, pictured, permanently will boost Leicester's hopes of a real push at the top six. Reuters -
6. Arsenal. Unai Emery will hope the record signing of Nicolas Pepe and the goals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, pictured, can push them closer to the top four. EPA -
5. Chelsea. New manager Frank Lampard needs big things from Christian Pulisic, pictured, if they are to excel. Reuters -
4. Manchester United. Signings such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, pictured, will tighten things up and should get United back in top four. Getty -
3. Tottenham Hotspur. Third place again for Spurs, though more is needed from Dele Alli, pictured. Getty -
2. Liverpool. Mohamed Salah, pictured, will be pivotal again but Jurgen Klopp's men to finish behind City again. AFP -
1. Manchester City. Hard to see beyond another title success for Pep Guardiola's, pictured, side. Getty
