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Barcelona plot £51m deal for Man United target: Rival Prem club bought his team-mate
MANCHESTER UNITED could miss out on centre-back target Marquinhos this winter after it emerged Barcelona are planning a £51million (€60m) bid for the Paris Saint-Germain star.
Marquinhos Player Profile
United were linked with Brazilian Marquinhos over the summer as manager Jose Mourinho sought to strengthen his defence.
French outlet Le10Sport claimed United - along with Barca and Chelsea - were eyeing the 22-year-old.
But no deal went through as Barca and United ran out of time to secure a move, while Chelsea signed Marquinhos' team-mate David Luiz on deadline day instead.
Brazilian sources even suggest a €60m bid planned by Barca for Marquinhos in January. PSG, as usual, has no intention of letting him go.
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) September 16, 2016
United have been linked with a number of players ahead of the January window opening, including Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
But Mourinho is thought to be eyeing a defensive addition as his top priority over the winter.
As for Chelsea, they are not expected to move again for Marquinhos after securing Luiz's signature in a £32m deal.
Chelsea should have Kurt Zouma back fit by Christmas to ease the strain on manager Antonio Conte's back four.
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