MANCHESTER UNITED have moved a step closer to signing Paris St Germain defender Marquinhos, reports the Daily Star.
United are understood to be big admirers of the 20-year-old, who joined PSG in 2013.
According to the defender, the Red Devils made an approach to sign him in the January transfer window.
However, PSG turned down their advances and the former Roma star went on to pen a new contract at the end of March.
But according to reports, the Brazilian’s new deal hasn’t stopped United’s pursuit of the centre-back – who is understood to have attracted interest from current Premier League leaders Chelsea.
The Metro claim United have agreed personal terms with the defender and will launch a £40m bid in the summer to lure him away from the Parc des Princes.
If Louis van Gaal does make a summer move for Marquinhos, he will face stiff opposition from PSG as the Ligue 1 giants have claimed he is ‘the future’ of the club.
“Marquinhos represents the future of our club and this extension shows how strongly attached he is to Paris Saint-Germain,” PSG’s president Nasser Al Khelaïfi said.
“We are very happy to extend our adventure with this young and talented player, and it shows how committed the Club is to conserving our best young talents.
“The biggest European clubs were interested in signing Marquinhos, so this contract extension further reinforces Paris Saint-Germain’s ambitious long-term project.”