Italian side Lazio ready to splash the cash on Manchester United outcast
by Jyotirmoy HalderManchester United have bought one and offloaded one so far this summer.
From Juan Sebastián Verón to Carlos Tevez and Ángel Di María to Sergio Romero, there has never been a long list of the Argentine superstars that have graced the holy turf of Old Trafford to date. If we turn the pages of history, we will find only six Argentinian have successfully made the cut.
Some of them had glittering pedigree behind them (Di Maria for instance), while others made their name after joining the Red Devils (the likes of Carlos Tevez and Sergio Romero). Sometimes things have gone bad to worse for them, and they have failed to replicate the expectations of the fans on the pitch. Yet, they have had proudly embraced the red shirt of Manchester and shown the courage to fight for the places under the brightest floodlights of the ‘Theater of Dreams’.
Born and raised in La Plata, Argentina, Marcos Rojo is the fifth and one of the recent names on the coveted list of Argentines. During the reign of Louis van Gaal, Marcos Rojo joined the Manchester-based club for a reported transfer fee of €20 million (£16 million) from Sporting Lisbon.
As a professional, he had garnered loads of plaudits in his days at Portugal. And hence, United devotees would want him to be a success at Old Trafford. He had that never-say-die attitude on the field and the agility of playing both as a centre-back and a left-back.
Since joining the club, Rojo has had sustained various injuries that have played an integral role in ravaging his United career. Having made 122 appearances for the club in all competitions, he has helped the illustrious club win a plethora of titles, including one UEFA Europa League, one FA Cup, one EFL Cup, and one FA Community Shield.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s emergence as a club manager has not had meant any good for the Argentine, as the 30-year-old joined his hometown side, Club Estudiantes de La Plata, last January for a half-season loan. Nevertheless, a thigh injury limited his part to only one appearance for his childhood club. And following the expiration of the deal, it is reported that Rojo has returned to Manchester.
Although his body is roaming around the pavements of Manchester, his heart believingly seeks a move out of the city. He might not wait so long now, as reports from Tuttomercatoweb (via Teamtalk) suggest that Italian Serie A side SS Lazio consider making a move for Marcos Rojo, whom they reportedly think could be an experienced addition to the squad.
The story also elaborates that Lazio want to pay €8 million for the Argentine and United might happily let the player leave the club.
Manchester United, on the other hands, are desperate to get rid of Rojo, as it is understood that the player has no part to play in the plans orchestrated by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United are in the market to sign a centre-back, with another veteran in Chris Smalling edging closer to returning to Rome. Despite the fact that United have over a month left in the summer transfer window, it is now less than two weeks before their Premeir League beings. And the clock is ticking.
Do you think €8 million is a reasonable price for the Manchester United centre-back?