Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly join the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos in the summer
French outlet Telefoot have reported that Chelsea and Manchester United have become the latest clubs to enter the chase for Marquinhos. The likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for the Paris Saint-Germain defender.
2016/17 has been a career defining season for Marquinhos, as he has been finally able to establish himself at the heart of the PSG defence following the departure of David Luiz. Having struck a solid partnership with Thiago Silva, he has been instrumental in PSG boasting the best defensive record in Ligue 1.
The capital club have conceded just 20 goals in 29 games in the French top flight, with Marquinhos being a mainstay at the back. With the 22-year-old starting to deliver on his undoubted talent at the Parc des Princes, several clubs are also beginning to sit up and take notice.
Barcelona have been long-time admirers of the player’s talents, and the report states that the Catalan club tried to sign Marquinhos in a €45 million deal last summer but were thwarted in their attempts to bring him to Camp Nou.
However, they have now rekindled their interest in Marquinhos, and they will attempt to sign him again in the summer. Jeremy Mathieu has been inconsistent this season, while Javier Mascherano has been troubled by injuries, leaving just Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti as recognised options.
But, Chelsea and Manchester are also keen on the young centre-back and have positioned themselves to sign him, with the player expected to ponder over his future in the French capital in the coming weeks.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is expected to bolster his squad in the summer as Chelsea appear set to compete on four fronts next season. His system has been a resounding success at Stamford Bridge, but beyond the first choice defenders, the Chelsea manager just has the inexperienced duo of Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake to choose from.
With John Terry looking set to end his storied Chelsea career in the summer, and with Gary Cahill on the wrong side of thirties, defence is likely to be a priority. As a result, Marquinhos could reunite with Luiz at Stamford Bridge next season, with Chelsea keen to make another move for the Brazilian.
But, Manchester United are also eager to sign Marquinhos and are ready to battle Barcelona and Chelsea for his signature. Jose Mourinho has four recognised options in Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo to choose from, but is believed to be in the market for a central defender.
Marquinhos has, thus, been identified as the ideal player to become a long-term solution for the Manchester United boss in defence.
The three aforementioned clubs are more prominent in the race to sign Marquinhos. But the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan have also been linked with the Brazilian, and could spring into action when the transfer window opens in June, and it will be interesting to see whether he indeed departs from Paris.