Manchester United ready to shell out €70m for PSG defender Marquinhos

Manchester United are reportedly willing to pay €70m (£58.5m, $75m) for the transfer of Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos as Jose Mourinho looks to bring in reinforcements for next season in defence.

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are out injured at the moment and the Portuguese manager wants another dependable name alongside Eric Bailly, who has impressed in his first season at the club. Marcos Rojo, who formed a solid partnership with Bailly, has suffered a serious knee injury and is a doubt for the start of next season.

Goal.com reports that they will face strong resistance from PSG, who are unwilling to let go of one of Europe's top prospects and will start contract negotiations with the Brazilian at the earliest. The Red Devils are reportedly willing to offer him a yearly wage of about £8m as they look to build a team capable of winning the title. PSG are currently unwilling to agree to his wage demands as it would make him one of the highest earners at the club.

The 22-year-old is happy in Paris, where he has won three successive league titles. His father, Marcos Barros insists that there is more to the contract talks than just his son's salary.

"It's not just a matter of money. It's a matter of how he can be one of the best players in the team," Barros said. "PSG needs to show him that he is one of the most important players in the team."

The Red Devils signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free from PSG, but will not be able to steal the Brazilian from the French giants, who has two more years left for his contract to end. Mourinho is currently focussing on the Europa League as United have reached the semis and will face Celta Vigo in a two-legged tie in May.

The winner of the competition will be guaranteed Champions League action for next season.