Marquinhos Transfer Rumours: Manchester United Must Up Offer for PSG Star

Manchester United will have to stump up a stratospheric sum if they’re to land Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos on deadline day, with reports claiming that the French champions have rejected a £35 million bid for the Brazilian in the final knockings of the January transfer window.

According to The Sun (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star), the Parisians eventually rejected the offer for the 20-year-old on Sunday evening, but it’s also reported that the player remains Louis van Gaal’s first-choice target as he looks to bolster his defensive options in the final knockings of the January window.

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Here’s a look at why the French champions apparently want in excess of £35 million for the player:

With Marquinhos’ compatriots David Luiz and Thiago Silva currently nailing down the centre-back berths in the heart of the PSG defence, the youngster has been limited to scatterings of appearances as well as the occasional start at right-back. For a player of his immense potential and quality, that’s not ideal for his development.

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Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez thinks that Marquinhos' apparent frustrations are very much of his own making, though:

United would potentially be a perfect place for Marquinhos to continue his progression. He’d command a regular spot in the centre of defence for the Red Devils, and ideally for those associated with the Old Trafford club, Marquinhos would flourish alongside other promising young players in the defence like Phil Jones and Luke Shaw.

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But according to Bleacher Report’s French football expert Andrew Gibney, a deal at this late stage in the window looks near enough impossible:

The summer could be an ideal time for Marquinhos to go in search of pastures new, though. He’s a player who should be at the heart of a top team and should be improving accordingly, but the fact of the matter is that we’re unlikely to see him reach the levels that made him such hot property at Roma if he remains third choice in Laurent Blanc’s pecking order.

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The talent is there for Marquinhos to blossom into one of the world’s very best central defenders. It’s a deal that surely won’t happen at this late stage of the window, but expect the Red Devils to pursue his signature with a real endeavour this summer. Although his acquisition may be a costly one, the class and potential longevity the Brazilian possesses would make his purchase worthwhile.