Monday 2 March 2015 11:27, UK
Manchester United and Barcelona tried to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos last summer, the Brazilian defender has revealed.
The 20-year-old is rated as one of the world's most promising young centre-backs, but despite the interest Marquinhos said he would like to sign a new contract.
Both clubs signed defenders last summer – Barcelona snapped up Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen, while Manchester United landed Marcos Rojo – but Marquinhos has hinted that he was their first-choice target.
Speaking to French TV programme Telefoot, he said: “Yes, Manchester United wanted me and Barcelona too. Those two clubs negotiated with PSG but the directors did not give them any option. That gave me confidence.
"The president and the coach are happy with me. It would be good to renew [my contract] for Paris.”
