Manchester City are keen on signing Paris Saint-Germain central defender Marquinhos to solidify the backline which has looked very vulnerable this season. The 25-year-old Brazilian has become an important part of the Ligue 1 side over the last few years, but there is a possibility that he may leave the club.
As per Le 10 Sport, Marquinhos and his agent have not been able to agree on terms over a new deal with the French club, which has resulted in interest from Manchester City. Real Madrid are the other club reportedly interested in signing the defender. The Brazilian has two and a half years remaining on his contract which expires in 2022.
Marquinhos joined PSG from Roma in the summer of 2013 for €31.4 million and the Brazilian has repaid the faith put in him by the club by putting in consistent displays in the last few years. The 25-year-old has made over 260 appearances in all competitions for PSG, while also being a key player for the Brazilian national team.
Is he the kind of player Guardiola needs?
Marquinhos has gone on to earn a good name for himself in Europe and has helped PSG dominate the French league. The defender, who is also capable of playing in midfield, is not the most imposing figure at the back, but he makes up for his lack of height with good reading of the game from his position.
The Brazilian is quick to make key interceptions and is a dependable figure at the back, while he is also a good tackler of the ball. He has averaged 2.2 tackles per game in the league this season.
Marquinhos is also good with the ball at his feet, making quick passes, a trait which makes Aymeric Laporte a favourite of Pep. This is a quality in him that would have attracted the Catalan genius. He has averaged 4.1 long balls in the league which has also been a feature of City in the last couple of seasons, switching the play with diagonal passes out to the wingers.
Guardiola desperately needs quality defenders as they have struggled at the back this season. But while Marquinhos has a number of qualities which would impress Pep, there is a worry that he could be too similar to a player like John Stones.
City need a bruiser at the back, who can take charge of situations, tackle and head the ball away, and most importantly, lead from the back. Marquinhos could perhaps be a replacement for Otamendi and Stones, but they will need a stronger, more physical player to play beside him to make up for the gaping Vincent Kompany void at the club.
