Manchester United set to beat Barcelona for big name signing
Manchester United want to bolster their defence
Jose Mourinho understands that Manchester United’s back four must improve if they’re going to contend for a Premier League title next season. That’s why the Red Devils are set to spend big to beat Barcelona out for the signing of a big name defender.
Reports from Spain claim that the English giants are prepared to beat Barcelona for the signature of PSG defender Marquinhos. Barcelona have long been considered the favourite to sign the Brazilian centre back, but their efforts were sternly rebuffed by the Ligue 1 club last summer. Evidently, the fact that Marquinhos’ contract is winding down has convinced PSG to change their stance during the upcoming transfer window.
That doesn’t mean PSG are offering United any sort of discount. The reports still claim that Mourinho’s club will need to pay just over £60 million to complete the deal. Some might look at that figure as too expensive for a player who’s struggled to really stand out against Ligue 1 opposition.
Marquinhos has reestablished himself as a starter for the Parisian giants this season, but his performances have been far from dominant. He’s only managed a Whoscored.com player rating average of 7.08 in his 28 appearances in France’s top flight. In many ways, his relatively average play is symbolic of his club’s struggles in the league this year.
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Mourinho will hope that Marquinhos can regain his top form under his tutelage. At such a steep transfer price, he’ll be expected to slot immediately into the United starting XI. Ideally for United, he can form a centre back partnership with Eric Bailly for years to come at Old Trafford.
Expect Barcelona to be a little irritated to see one of their longtime targets snub their advances in favour of United. Some officials with the Spanish giants were irritated with PSG for refusing their bid last summer. Seeing him sold to United without being given the opportunity to match their bid will only add to the ill will between PSG and the Catalan giants.
Next: Real Madrid change the price on Manchester United
Don’t expect Barcelona’s irritation to be of any concern to Jose Mourinho. He’ll be happy to beat out the La Liga giants to bring what he believes to be a world-class defender to England.