Rojo hands transfer request

Manchester United target Marcos Rojo has reportedly handed in a transfer request to Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon to allow him to move to Old Trafford this summer, claims Sky Sports.

The Red Devils have already lodged a £15.9m for the Argentine defender earlier today, as newly-appointed manager Louis van Gaal looks to structure a solid defence after the departure of Rio Ferdinand to Queen Park Rangers and Nemanja Vidic to Inter Milan this year.

The Dutch manager lost out in the race to sign Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen, who joined Spanish club Barcelona last week, and is now hoping to rope in the 24-year-old.

Rojo, who was an integral part of the Argentine side that ultimately lost 1-0 to Germany in the World Cup final in Brazil last month, has refused to train with the Primeira Liga side, insisting that the club need to satisfactorily sort out his situation.

The former Spartak Moscow player had been a centre of speculations throughout the transfer season with Premier League rivals Chelsea and Southampton also keen on bringing him in.