Man United's target Harry Maguire is not worth the £70million they bid for him on Monday, claims former Arsenal striker Paul Mariner.
Maguire has had a meteoric rise in recent seasons, from being relegated with Hull in 2016 to participating in a World Cup semi-final for England two years later.
United were keen on signing the 26-year-old last summer but the then-manager Jose Mourinho did not get his wish of signing a centre-back.
'It appears the Red Devils have made Maguire their No 1 target for the middle of defence in this window.' said Paul Mariner.
But Mariner also says the England international is not the elite defender Manchester United are looking for.
"Is he worth that money? Of course he's not," he told ESPN FC.
"But the market's crazy. We speak about Van Dijk when Van Dijk went to Liverpool, was he worth that?
"Well it proves that he is worth it because they won the Champions League and that's a massive plus for them.
"But is anybody worth this type of money? We're talking about defensive players.
"So let's go through his skill set. Is he a good one on one defender? Not bad.
"Can he get turned? Yes. Is he quick? No.
"He brings the ball out from the back, yes, very good. Positionally what's he like? He's decent in both boxes.
"That's not £70m for me though.
"That's when you start talking about elite central defenders in the world.”
nioadeitu
101
keep singing England players all they will be like Ashley young [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
coadekmnsz
65
Not good enough compared to other central defenders but, he wants man city move, let him go
Wiyceknsuz
55
I'd rather sign ake coz he's better or at the same level with this overrated English blunder. English players always flop. Ferdinand excelled coz he played with vidic. Gomez looks good coz he plays with VVD, stones can't break into man city's starting 11 , Chelsea dumped all English defenders , let's not talk of Tottenham- all top 6 managers and clubs have realized they're more successful with less English players in the starting 11and first team but my dear club Manchester United is far from reality. English players represent own goals, blunders, teenage sensation at 27, never reaching their full potential. with 5-6 English players in your 1st 11 you are officially a mid-table team fighting for relegation.