Manchester United have reportedly signed Argentina international and World Cup star Marcos Rojo after the footballer announced on the radio he was now an Old Trafford player.
The 24-year-old, who has been at Sporting Lisbon since 2012, has been a main target for Louis van Gaal for much of the summer.
And after apologising earlier this week for refusing to train at the Portuguese club, the centre back looks like he is Manchester bound.
On Argentina’s Radio Continental he was quoted as saying: “It feels like a dream, to be a Manchester United player. Leaving Sporting wasn’t easy.”
It is reported that Man Utd splashed out £20million for the central defender as they look to replace Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who both left the club this summer.
The World Cup finalist, who was the only Argentinean player to make the Castrol Index top 11 at the tournament, made an apology earlier this week after refusing to train when United’s £16million offer was rejected.
The reported new signing, who can also play at left back and even in midfield, had been suspended by Sporting before issuing a statement.
“I was hot-headed and I’m sorry,” said Rojo over his refusal to train.
“I’ll be back with the rest of the [Sporting] squad tomorrow [Monday].
“Sporting signed me when I was not at my best and gave me the opportunity to play for a big club in Europe.
“I would like to thank the trust they had in me and I will resume training on Monday.”
The dispute over Rojo’s transfer centred on Sporting and third-party Doyen, who own three-quarters of the player, and would therefore get three-quarters of any transfer payment the club receives.
The deal could also see the departure of Nani from Old Trafford in a part-exchange transfer.
United have also been linked with fellow international compatriot Angel Di Maria, though it is believed it will take a bid in the region of £50million to prise him away from Real Madrid.
Image courtesy of Última Jugada, via Youtube, with thanks
