Manchester United are in hot pursuit of England’s World Cup hero Harry Maguire, but will have to let go of Marcos Rojo to fund a move.
As per reports from the Mirror, Manchester United could be forced into selling Argentine defender Marcos Rojo, in order to to sign key summer transfer target Harry Maguire.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is understood to be keen on landing the Leicester City star, after his heroics in England’s semifinal run in the summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, the Portuguese has been informed that he will have to let one of his existing central defenders go, in order to make a move for Maguire.
The 20-time English champions already have as many as five options in the heart of the defence. England internationals Chris Smalling and Phil Jones remain incumbent at the club, despite the inconsistencies in their displays, while Mourinho’s signings Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof are expected to bounce back from what was a disappointing 2017-18 season for the pair.
That leaves Rojo as the most likely candidate be made the sacrificial lamb in order to make space for Maguire in the ranks. The 28-year old signed for Manchester United back in the summer of 2014 and has gone on to rack up 107 appearances for the club, winning the FA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
The 2017-18 campaign was a difficult one for the Argentine international, as he spent a good part of the season out on the sidelines, recovering from an ACL injury. Upon his return to full fitness, Rojo failed to nail down a starting place in the backline and as a result appeared just 12 times across all competitions.
Things have been made worse for Rojo by a forgetful experience in the World Cup with Argentina. While he did score an important goal for La Albiceleste during the group stage, the versatile defender’s performance in the round of 16 tie against France was shambolic. And this could have sealed his fate at Manchester United.
In comparison to Rojo, Maguire did not miss a single Premier League game for Leicester City, following his £17 million move from Hull City and had an outstanding summer in Russia, emerging as one of England’s best players in football’s biggest competition.
The Foxes are understood to be intent on not losing their prized asset this summer and are reportedly set to offer him a new contract worth £75,000-a-week. However, Manchester United are expected to press on with an offer of £65 million in order to acquire the 25-year old’s services.
Despite having left three years left on his contract (with an option of another year), that he signed as recently as March, Rojo’s time at the Old Trafford seems to be nearing an end, as Manchester United prepare to usher in England’s latest poster boy Maguire.
