Manchester City are prepared to step-up their interest in Harry Maguire to beat arch-rivals Manchester United to the England star's signature.
Champions City want Leicester stopper Maguire to replace Vincent Kompany, who has gone to Anderlecht.
Maguire was keen on a move to Manchester United last summer after a successful World Cup.
But Leicester refused to sell and tied Maguire, 26, to a new five-year contract worth £5million.
A year on, however, the Foxes could be tempted to sell for around £75million.
It would eclipse City's record transfer after buying Riyad Mahrez from Leicester last July for £60m.
City boss Pep Guardiola believes Maguire's ability to bring the ball out of defence would ideally complement his side.
He has even complimented Maguire on the pitch after games against Leicester both this season and last season after facing him.
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The champions know they must move quickly as Maguire also has admirers at Old Trafford, where Jose Mourinho wanted him last summer.
Leicester do not want to sell Maguire but new boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted he may be unable to keep all his stars if bigger clubs come in.
Now Leicester officials fear they will be unable to stand in Maguire's way if City table a similar sum to the £75m price Liverpool paid for Virgil Van Dijk last year.
It means Leicester stand to make a huge profit on Maguire after signing him from Hull in June 2017 for just £17m.
Maguire has 18 international caps and shot to prominence last summer playing every game as England reached the World Cup semi-finals.
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