According to Goal.com, Manchester United are prepared to pay £50m to bring Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos to Old Trafford at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

What's the story?

Despite Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo both enjoying impressive seasons for Man United, it is understood that Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho wants to bring at least one new centre-back to the club in this summer's transfer window.

Real Madrid's Raphael Varane has been linked as part of a deal that could take David de Gea to the Bernabeu, although Los Blancos are said to be desperate to keep hold of the Frenchman.

According to Goal.com, Mourinho is also a firm admirer of PSG defender Marquinhos, who joined the French giants from Roma in 2013.

Man United are expected to spend big at the end of the season as they look to return to the top of English football, and it is understood that the signing of a new centre-back is high on Mourinho's list of priorities, regardless of the cost.

What would Marquinhos bring to Man United?

Marquinhos, 22, started his professional career with Corinthians, emerging through the Brazilian club's youth set-up before making his first-team debut during the 2011-12 campaign.

Roma came calling in the summer of 2012, but the centre-back spent just one season with the Italian giants as PSG signed him for a fee in the region of £25m.

The defender has made more than 150 appearances for PSG since arriving in Paris, whilst he has also earned 17 caps for the Brazilian national team despite his youthful age.

Capable of operating at both centre-back and right-back, Marquinhos would seemingly be perfect if Mourinho wished to use a back three next season, while he could also slot in alongside Bailly or Rojo at the heart of a four-man backline.

It does appear that PSG are desperate to keep hold of Marquinhos, but with contract talks at the Parc des Princes stalling, now might be the perfect time for Man United to swoop for one of the best young centre-backs in the world of football.

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