Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo has reportedly handed in a transfer request this afternoon, informing his club that he wants to join Manchester United.
Rojo, who starred for Argentina during this summer’s World Cup, has been at the Portuguese side for the last two seasons and it seems he has his sights firmly set on joining the Premier League’s most successful side.
New United manager Louis Van Gaal has been searching for a new centre-back to fit into the new 3-5-2 formation that he showcased with the Red Devils on their pre-season tour, since both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic left Old Trafford on free transfers this summer.
The 24-year-old has been linked with several English clubs including Liverpool and Southampton, but reports in Portugal today have revealed that United have dived head-first into the race for his signature.
The Red Devils are believed to be tabling a bid in the region of £16m but are not afraid to spend big in order to get their man.
United’s chief executive Ed Woodward has already stated that the English side are able to break the world transfer record this summer claiming: “The reality is we’re not afraid of spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market.
“Whether it’s a record or not doesn’t resonate with us. What resonates is that a top, top, elite player that the manager wants is going to be a star at Manchester United.”