In Focus: Man United defender Rojo being a PSG target depends on Emery's future

Football FanCast

By James Beavis

Published Feb 19, 2018

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is reportedly not a £30m target for Paris Saint-Germain this summer at present despite reports to the contrary over the weekend, with the Argentina international having less than 18 months left on his contract.

According to reports by ESPN FC, Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is not a £30m summer target for Paris Saint-Germain at present, despite various stories to the contrary.

What's the word, then?

Well, The Sun reported over the weekend that PSG were lining up a £30m bid for the Argentina international at the end of the season after negotiations over a new contract broke done, but ESPN FC claim that it is not the case that the Ligue 1 outfit are ready to make their move.

ESPN FC says that the French giants aren't targeting any new players at the moment with manager Unai Emery's future up in the air, and he could go if they fail to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League – they currently trail Real Madrid 3-1 after the first leg of their last 16 knockout tie.

However, the report adds that a place in the semis would add another 12 months to Emery's contract, with the club also potentially having to sell players to stay in line with UEFA's financial fair play rules.

How has Rojo done this season?

The 27-year-old only returned from a cruciate ligament injury in November, and since then he has been in and out of the team under Jose Mourinho, making 10 appearances in all competitions.

The Argentina international currently looks to be behind the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly in the central defensive pecking order at Old Trafford, and he missed the 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday because of injury.

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Would United listen to offers for him in the summer?

Considering he will only have a year left on his contract come June an offer of £30m may certainly be tempting for Mourinho and United, with the Portuguese boss almost certain to target a new centre-back and with him having plenty of options in that position.

That said, the fact that the 27-year-old can play at the heart of the defence or as a left-back or wing-back certainly makes him a useful member of the squad, and one that Mourinho may not want to lose anytime soon.