Manchester United centre back Harry Maguire has been linked with an emotional return to Leicester City as his contract saga continues into the January transfer window.

Maguire is free to discuss pre-contract terms with foreign clubs from January 1, with his current deal at the Red Devils expiring in the summer of 2025. United have the option to trigger a one-year extension but an agreement with a club abroad in January could remove that choice.

According to The Athletic, the Manchester club have been in talks with the 31-year-old over a deal worth longer than single year extension, with the player himself describing the talks as "really positive". With the January window just days away though, Ruben Amorim and the United hierarchy are under time pressure to prevent Maguire's head from turning to somewhere where he may be guaranteed more game time.

READ MORE: Leicester City transfer latest as centre-back opens up on his future in boost to January pursuit

READ MORE: What Ruud van Nistelrooy naively admitted in Leicester City pantomime amid transfer smokescreen

The Athletic have said that the Foxes could offer an emotional pull for the England international, with Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy said to admire him from his time as as assistant coach at Old Trafford. Maguire spent two years at the King Power Stadium after signing from Hull City in 2017, before making the move up to Manchester for £80 million which remains the world record for a defender.

Alongside the interest of Leicester are foreign clubs Napoli and Fenerbahce. Maguire is said to be an attractive option for the Naples club after the success of former teammate Scott McTominay with Gli Azzurri and boss Antonio Conte is a fan of Premier League players.

Turkish side Fenerbahce, managed by former United manager José Mourinho, also houses former colleagues in Fred and Sofyan Amrabat and could be an option.

His importance to Amorim is somewhat blurred at the moment as the new Red Devils boss continues to settle and get to know his players. His back-three system could provide an avenue back into a more permanent role for Maguire and the centre back has played the full 90 minutes of United's last two games; a 2-1 win over rivals Manchester United and a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth.

Nevertheless, the former Fox, who has 64 caps for England, would provide some invaluable experience and added quality to the Leicester back line. A January attempt could see them secure Maguire's services for a cut-price deal or they could wait until the summer and hope to tempt him back to the East Midlands on a free transfer amidst his contract talks.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker sent message as Leicester City calamity taken apart

Should Leicester bring Maguire back to the King Power? Tell us here