MARCOS ROJO has reportedly rejected a big money deal to move to the Chinese Super League – which will further scupper boss Jose Mourinho’s efforts to rebuild Manchester United’s defence.
Sven Goran Eriksson‘s Shanghai SIPG wanted to sign the Argentina international – but injury-plagued Rojo does not wish to swap the Premier League for Asian riches despite Shanghai having the likes of Brazil striker Hulk in their ranks.
Shortly after Mourinho joined the club, they told Rojo he could leave and that any offer around £12million would be accepted – prompting China to act, given their willingness to pay over the odds and increased salaries for players to attract them to their burgeoning league.
United are also waiting to see if newly-promoted and managerless Hull City will increase their efforts to lure Phil Jones to the KC Stadium on a year-long loan.
Steve Bruce originally started the ball rolling to get Jones in to try and re-establish his position as one of the league’s top centre-backs by spending a year away from Old Trafford – but he has since resigned.
According to the Daily Record, Mourinho desperately wants an experienced central-back and maybe another right-back for squad depth, having been concerned over what was left to him by former boss Louis Van Gaal.
But he needs to reduce the number of players at the club before spending in the transfer market again ahead of a mammoth fee spent for Paul Pogba.
Rojo has been made available sale alongside fellow defender Daley Blind, while Guillermo Varela has already joined Eintracht Frankurt for a season.
Youngsters Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Paddy McNair have also been made available for loan.
United informed Rojo that he could find himself another club shortly after Mourinho’s appointment, telling the 26-year-old’s representatives that they would accept an offer in the region of €12million for the player.
Rojo joined after impressing Van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup, but he soon fell out with the Dutchman, making just 35 Premier League starts in two seasons under him.
Sir Alex Ferguson beat off competition from Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Manchester City and Tottenham to sign Jones from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 for £16.5m plus a £4m add-ons.
He started well, used mostly as a utility player, but injuries have hampered his progress, starting just six matches last season.
Mourinho has signed Ivory Coast international defender Eric Bailly for €29m with the aim of developing the 22-year-old into a top central defender, but wants someone more experience such as Juventus‘ Leonardo Bonucci.
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