Marquinhos Interest Persists at Manchester United in Club's Latest Transfer News

Manchester United are still looking to bolster their defence on transfer deadline day with the long-linked Marquinhos still a target at Paris St-Germain.

It has long been reported that Louis van Gaal is interested in the 20-year-old centre-back, with The Sun's Antony Kastrinakis (subscription required) recently indicating that United were set to bid £35 million for the player.

The latest reports suggests that while the Red Devils are fighting a losing battle, they are trying desperately to sign the Brazilian Marquinhos before the closure of the January transfer window, per Jack Gaughan in the Daily Mail.

PSG are clearly loath to let their young star go, but as B/R UK's Sam Tighe indicates below, United could really do with strengthening their central defence which currently relies on the inconsistent nature of Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo:

Marquinhos could potentially be persuaded away from the French capital as he has failed to usurp Thiago Silva and David Luiz as a first-choice centre-back, often being utilised at right-back in his 12 league starts this term, per WhoScored.com. 

He certainly has tremendous quality, hence why he commanded a €31.4 million (£24 million) transfer fee when he moved to PSG from Roma in 2013.

Marquinhos would likely flourish at United as he could fit perfectly into Van Gaal's setup as a centre-back—able to play in a back three or a back four—while also providing an option on the right where Antonio Valencia has so often had to be utilised out of necessity.

However, it is clearly going to be a challenge for United to push through a deal ahead of the transfer window closing with PSG not willing to sell, and Sport Witness is not confident a deal will be struck:

However, a move that still may go ahead is Darren Fletcher's departure from Old Trafford after a mooted switch to West Ham collapsed, per the Guardian. 

West Brom have now stepped up their interest, with the Scot's move to the Baggies a genuine possibility in the current window, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone:

Fletcher has had a storied career at United, winning five league titles and a Champions League, but he is no longer an integral part of the Red Devils setup, with the likes of Daley Blind and Ander Herrera now preferred in central midfield.

His departure would not be a huge blow for Van Gaal's side and would likely allow Fletcher the opportunity to get more playing time in the Premier League under Tony Pulis.