Ronald Koeman’s search for a replacement for Luke Shaw took a hit today as Sporting Lisbon reportedly announced they would only sell for their World Cup star Marcos Rojo for a fee of £16m.
According the various media outlets, Sporting have already rejected an initial bid of €11m for their star defender from the Saints and will not want to lose him, as well as fellow defender Eric Dier, who is a target of Tottenham. However, the player himself has given Southampton some good news, be hinting he may be open to a move.
Rojo said: “Everyone has a price. If a good deal arrives, then I’m sure I will sit down with the club and evaluate things. We still do not know what my future will be. It is a matter for the club and my representatives. I’m cool.”
The Argentinian, 24 was arguably one of the best performers at the World Cup and is rumoured to have attracted interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, though the signings of Lovren from Southampton for the Merseyside club and the arrival of Filipe Luis at Stamford Bridge have cooled the interest. It seems that Koeman’s side is in pole position to land Rojo but will have to act quickly. Rojo operated as a wing back for Argentina in Brazil but can also play centre back and scored six times for Lisbon in the Portuguese league last season.