Manchester United are reportedly confident of finalising a deal for PSG’s £50-million-rated centre-back Marquinhos in the summer.
According to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, Paris St. Germain defender Marquinhos tops Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s priority list in the summer, and he is confident of securing a £50 million move for him in the summer.
The 22-year-old is one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders and has already made himself a regular in Ligue 1 for PSG. He has played in 25 league matches for Les Parisiens this campaign, and has been extremely solid at the back.
Marquinhos has also played in all eight of the French side’s Champions League games and was unfortunately on the field when his side succumbed to an embarrassing defeat at the hands of FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
Barring that one-off fixture, he has bolstered PSG’s defence to a considerable extent and has made them Ligue 1’s meanest defence. The French giants have conceded a meagre 23 goals in the league this season – five less than leaders AS Monaco.
Due to his sublime performances in the league, reports had emerged that Manchester United submitted a £60 million bid for the player. While the French side have not yet handed in a response, Mourinho is expected that he will be able to secure the services of the player.
The Portuguese manager has had a tough time dealing with numerous injuries faced by the United players this season. English centre-back duo Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were injured on international duty, and haven’t featured in the month of April.
Despite Mourinho asking them to play through the pain barrier and fight off their injuries, they don’t seem to be fully ready to return to first-team action. To make matters worse for him, Marcos Rojo tore his ACL, and is now out for several months.
Summer signing Eric Bailly has fit in well to life at his new club, and despite having injury problems of their own, appears to be United’s best centre-back of the season. However, to bring the best out of him, Mourinho needs a quality option who can share the Ivorian’s burden.
That is precisely the reason why he is keen on signing the PSG defender. Mourinho knows that it will be extremely hard to lure him to Old Trafford as the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea are hot on the player’s heels.
With both clubs certain to play in next season’s Champions League and United unsure of their fate in Europe’s elite club competition, Marquinhos could prefer going to a club that will challenge for the Champions League, rather than fight to get into it.
