Manchester United hope to use Matthijs de Ligt to drive down Leicester's asking price for Harry Maguire.
United remain in the hunt for England defender Maguire, who has asked to leave Leicester this summer.
Reports emerged on Sunday that an £80m fee has been agreed between the two clubs although they are believed to be wide of the mark.
Leicester have set an asking price of £90m for Maguire, which United are refusing to meet, and the two clubs remain some away off in their valuations.
But United hope the transfer of in-demand Ajax skipper De Ligt could work in their favour.
The Standard reports Ajax value the teenage defender at around £71m with a host of clubs interested this summer.
United, Liverpool , PSG and Barcelona have all been tipped to make a move but it appears De Ligt will head for Juventus .
And despite emerging as the hottest property in world football at just 19, De Ligt's transfer will not make him the most-expensive defender in world football.
That honour still remains with his international teammate Virgil van Dijk, who joined Liverpool for £75m in January 2018.
It is claimed United hope De Ligt's fee will act as a 'gauge' for Leicester, who are determined to keep hold of the Three Lions star.
But the Red Devils will not pay over the odds for any player this summer having baulked at Newcastle's £50m valuation of Sean Longstaff.
Leicester are believed to be eyeing Brighton's Lewis Dunk as a potential replacement for Maguire, if he does get his move to Old Trafford.
