Man Utd open talks over £70m transfer as Pochettino DEMANDS 22-year-old sensation to play Christian Eriksen role for Red Devils

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Manchester United have opened talks over a potential summer transfer window deal to sign James Maddison from Leicester City.

CaughtOffside understands the Red Devils have held initial talks with Mauricio Pochettino over taking over as their next long-term manager in the summer.

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While nothing has been agreed yet, it’s clear from early and informal negotiations that Pochettino is prepared to leave Spurs for United, though his club are expected to play hardball over letting him go.

Still, it seems the Argentine is preparing for life at Old Trafford by discussing transfer targets with club chief Ed Woodward.

CaughtOffside understands Pochettino is a huge fan of Foxes star Maddison after his tremendous breakthrough season in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old very much fits the bill as a typical Pochettino signing, and the Tottenham manager is understood to eye him as the perfect player to play a ‘Christian Eriksen’ role in his United team.

Eriksen himself is likely to be an unrealistic target as Spurs will surely not part with star players upon also losing their manager to a big rival.

Maddison, however, is likely to be available for around £70million – a price Pochettino has assured United will be worth paying.

Although the England Under-21 international is yet to win a senior cap, his skill, creativity and eye for goal mean he could be on his way to becoming world class under the right manager.

Pochettino has notably developed young players and English talent in his time in north London and is determined to have someone of a similar calibre at United.

The Red Devils currently lack creative players of this type, with Juan Mata past his best and players like Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial more in the mould of goal-scoring wingers.

More Stories Christian Eriksen Ed Woodward James Maddison Mauricio Pochettino Ole Gunnar Solskjaer