Ahmed Musa to Manchester United: CSKA Moscow confident Nigeria international will stay amid Leicester City interest

The 23-year-old is high on Leicester’s wish list as they look to fill the void left by Andrej Kramarić’s loan departure

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CSKA Moscow are relaxed about interest from Manchester United and Leicester City for Ahmed Musa with the Russian club believing neither will meet their valuation for the Nigerian striker.

The powerful 23-year-old is high on Leicester’s wish list as they look to fill the void left by Andrej Kramarić’s loan departure to Hoffenheim but CSKA are confident he will remain at the club unless an offer in excess of £20m is received.

United have been hesitant to chase long-term targets this month amid continued uncertainty surrounding manager Louis van Gaal’s future at Old Trafford. Musa has a £22.8m release clause written into his contract, which expires in 2019, after agreeing new terms last summer.

The Nigeria captain has scored 10 goals in 29 appearances this season and possesses the brand of versatility sought after by the now-acclaimed Leicester scouting network. The Foxes have been linked with a host of forwards, including Chelsea’s Loïc Rémy, after missing out on Italy international Éder to Internazionale. BBC Sport Nigeria have since added credence to the understanding that CSKA will refuse to sell Musa this month.

Claudio Ranieri has openly discussed his desire to recruit cover for Premier League top goal-scorer Jamie Vardy this month with Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa often playing behind the England striker.

Reports have indicated the Italian has already failed with a succession of bids for Musa, in excess of the club-record £8m plus add-ons paid to Brighton and Hove Albion in 2014 for Ulloa. Southampton, too, have shown a tentative interest in securing the former Venlo hitman’s services this month with Graziano Pellè expected to return to his homeland.

Leicester have completed a trio of transfers during this window but a new forward continues to allude the surprise League leaders. Demarai Gray signed from Birmingham City for £3.7m before Copenhagen’s Daniel Amartey followed the England under-21s star to the King Power Stadium. Denmark youth-level international goalkeeper Daniel Iversen also joined from Esbjerg last week.