HULL City have declared an interest in signing Sheffield United's highly-rated defender Harry Maguire.
The Tigers are yet to make a formal bid for the 21-year-old but the Mail understands that the player's future has been discussed at boardroom level this week.
Championship side Wolves have twice seen bids rejected this summer and they fear City's interest will scupper their hopes of landing Maguire.
City are one of several Premier League clubs to have enquired since the end of the season and a £2m fee is likely to be sufficient to snare the Blades' Player of the Season, whose contract expires in 12 months.
Although the raw Maguire would not be immediately considered as a first choice central defender for the Tigers, manager Steve Bruce sees long-term potential in the rookie having scouted him regularly last season.
Maguire, who already has 166 appearances to his name since making his debut in 2011, has represented England under-21s and was seen to be the driving force in Sheffield United's run to the FA Cup semi-finals, an adventure eventually ended by the Tigers at Wembley.
An interest in Maguire would have no bearing on the pursuit of ex Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, who remains in talks with City over a free transfer.
