Manchester United target Marquinhos signs Paris Saint-Germain 1-year contract extension

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has signed a one-year contract extension at the Ligue 1 giants, keeping him at the club until at least 2019.

Marquinhos, 20, had emerged as a possible summer transfer target for Manchester United after his agent revealed manager Louis van Gaal's side were considering launching a bid.

The Brazilian defender fuelled that speculation, recently confirming his agent's comments and admitting such interest flattered him. But PSG have ended talk of an imminent move away for the former Roma defender in confirming a new deal.

"It's great, very good news. It shows that I'm doing a good job," Marquinhos told PSG's official website. "I'm very happy that the club is showing such confidence in me. It's a new stage of my life. The project here in Paris is magnificent, and life in Paris is wonderful.

"I'm very happy with everything that's happened in my life since signing here. Paris Saint-Germain have provided so much for me. I hope it continues for a long time to come."

In 2013, PSG paid a considerable fee of €31.4m (£23m, $34m) for the centre-half after just one season in Serie A with Roma. But their risk has been rewarded with Marquinhos establishing himself as an important component to manager Laurent Blanc's side.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi also confirmed a number Europe's elite clubs were in pursuit of Marquinhos but praised the defender's commitment to the club's long-term aspirations.

"Marquinhos represents the future of our club and this extension shows how strongly attached he is to Paris Saint-Germain," Al-Khelaifi said. "We are very happy to extend our adventure with this young and talented player, and it shows how committed the club is to conserving our best young talents.

"The biggest European clubs were interested in signing Marquinhos, so this contract extension further reinforces Paris Saint-Germain's ambitious long-term project."