Manchester United chief Ed Woodward was desperate to not pay an inflated price for Harry Maguire this summer.
England defender Harry Maguire is at the top of United's wishlist as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bids to strengthen his defence this summer, while Bruno Fernandes and Sean Longstaff are also targets.
Leicester are holding out for between £80m-£90m for Maguire, with boss Brendan Rodgers confirming two bids had been rejected.
United are expected to return with an improved offer for the 26-year-old before the transfer window closes, with Maguire open to making the switch to Old Trafford.
The proposed sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan is likely to speed up United's pursuit of Maguire with the club now ready to meet Leicester's asking price, reports the Irish Independent.
It is suggested it is now in the hands of Woodward to finalise an agreement and bring in the defender.
The United executive vice-chairman has stayed at home as United continue their pre-season preparations to work on the transfer.
United have forked out to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace while Daniel James arrived from Swansea.
And Woodward reportedly wanted to keep the club's finances in check this summer.
He is said to have been desperate to avoid paying over the odds for any targets, having had his 'fingers burnt' in the past.
United paid £53m for Fred last summer with the Brazilian so far failing to make the grade at Old Trafford while other big money buys including Lukaku, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly have not convinced.
United are also working on bringing in a central midfielder with Sean Longstaff and Bruno Fernandes on their radar.
