Manchester United Tables £16million Bid For Sporting Lisbon's Marcos Rojo, Say Reports

Manchester United has tabled a £16 million bid for Sporting Lisbon defender, Marcos Rojo, according to reports in Portugal and England.

The Argentina international was a key contributor during his country’s World Cup run that ended with a defeat in the final of the competition. He played all 120 minutes versus Germany and was named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team at the conclusion of the tournament.

The 24-year-old is a left-sided defender who can also operate at centre back. He would provide Manchester United with pace and versatility on the defensive side of the pitch.

The Portuguese publication O’Jogo broke the story this morning by stating Louis van Gaal had ‘green lit’ an offer of around £9.5m to be paid up front to Lisbon, with £6.5m to be paid off in future installments.

There could be a slight problem with any potential move for the Argentinian defender. Rojo is only part-owned by Sporting Lisbon, with sports investment group Doyen owning 75 percent of the player’s economic rights.

In the past, third party ownership such as this have been an issue in transfer negotiations. But The Guardian is reporting that Manchester United are “confident” that won’t be the case during this deal.

Earlier this afternoon, the Portuguese press reported that Rojo had refused to train with his club in order to force this transfer through. Speculation is the club rejected United’s initial bid, leading the player to hand in a transfer request.

Rojo began his career at the age of ten when he joined Estudiantes de La Plata. He spent eleven years with the Argentina side, winning the Copa Libertadores and Argentine Primera Division, before moving to Spartak Moscow in December 2010.

The defender made limited time of his stay in Russia before moving to Portugal in July 2012. Since then he has made 49 appearances for the legendary Portuguese club, while scoring five goals.

Rojo has also been a member of the Argentina national team since 2011, making 28 appearances for La Albiceleste.

Expect more news on this transfer over the next 24-48 hours.