Paris Saint-Germain ace open to Manchester United switch

Marquinhos has become the second Paris Saint-Germain defender in less than a week to show interest in making a summer move to Manchester United, reports Manchester Evening News.

United have previously been linked with a move for the Brazil international but have been given proper encouragement for the first real time in their pursuit of the versatile defender as Jose Mourinho eyes another summer of huge investment in the squad.

Mourinho will be without Marcos Rojo for most of the year after he suffered a serious knee injury in the Europa League on Thursday, while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are never able to stay fit for prolonged periods that will force Mourinho to sign at least one new centre-back in the summer.

United are already understood to be close to landing PSG right-back Serge Aurier and Mourinho could also turn his attentions to Marquinhos despite the fact talks have begun over an extension on his current deal that is due to expire in 2019.

Marquinhos struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular under Laurent Blanc but that has since changed following Unai Emery’s appointment and David Luiz’s departure last summer.

Only Presnel Kimpembe (94.1%) and Thiago Silva (93.5%) have a better pass success rate for PSG in Ligue 1 this season than Marquinhos (93.3%), who has racked up the second most playing time in the league for the reigning Ligue 1 champions.

For more stats on Marquinhos, click here to visit his WhoScored player page