Man Utd to offer Rojo plus cash for Fonte

Manchester United are prepared to offer Argentinian defender Marcos Rojo to Southampton in part exchange for José Fonte, according to reports.

The Mirror is reporting that Manchester United are lining up a player plus cash offer for Southampton captain José Fonte which would see Marcos Rojo move in the opposite direction.

United boss José Mourinho is supposedly on the lookout for an experienced central defender before the transfer window closes in two weeks’ time, and the former Chelsea manager has identified 32-year-old Fonte and the man to come in and add some stability to the Red Devils’ back line.

Recent reports have suggested that United would be willing to pay between £10 million and £12 million for the veteran Portuguese defender, but it would now seem that they are looking to reduce that figure by including Rojo in any potential deal.

Following the 2014 World Cup in Braxil, in which Rojo helped Argentina reach the final before losing to Germany in extra time, Southampton were linked with a move for the defender, who was playing for Sporting Clube de Portugal at the time.

But United swooped in with a £16 million offer for the versatile defender.

Rojo has drawn criticism for his erratic performances of late and is rumoured to be considered surplus to requirements by Mourinho, and the Portuguese coach is keen to offload the left sided defender.