Everton prepare winter approach to sign Manchester United defender
Premier League side Everton are reportedly prepared to make a fresh attempt to acquire the signature of Marcos Rojo from Manchester United in the New Year. The Argentina international had been heavily tipped to leave the Red Devils during the summer but a minor knee injury following the World Cup appeared to hamper his prospects of finding a new challenge.
Rojo has since returned to first-team training after recovering from yet another knee problem sustained but he seems far off from Jose Mourinho’s plans, having yet to feature for the Red Devils in any competition this term. Amidst this, Wolverhampton Wanderers have recently been fancied to make a winter approach for the former Sporting man but according to The Mirror, they could face potential competition from Marco Silva’s side.
Everton were regularly linked with the versatile defender during the previous summer transfer window but they eventually decided to pursue the services of Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma before the deadline – with the latter joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The Merseyside outfit have since shown an improvement on the defensive side of their game as the season has progressed but Silva appears keen on strengthening the backline further with a view to the long-term.
“Zouma may have cemented his position at the heart of the club’s backline on regular intervals“ but he has previously indicated that he would without question return to Chelsea at the expiry of his loan contract. Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka could be another parting ways with the “Toffees by next summer“ with the hierarchy showing no plans of extending his contract beyond the current campaign.
Meanwhile, United are unlikely to block the potential exit of Rojo in the New Year with manager Jose Mourinho keen on recouping sufficient funds through player sales to pursue a new central defender. Aside from Rojo, Eric Bailly could be another heading through the exit door with AC Milan leading the race to acquire his signature.