After seeing their offer flatly rebuffed by Paris Saint-Germain on the last day of the summer transfer, Chelsea are plotting a new move to sign defender Marquinhos, with the highly-rated defender looking likely to leave the Parc des Princes in the next transfer window.
There were claims few weeks ago that PSG turned down a last-minute bid of a reported £42m from the Blues as there was not enough time to source for a replacement if they let the Brazilian defender leave. Recently, Marquinhos publicly expressed his delight at the opportunity given him at the club and for the trust that the owner Nasser Al-Khalaifi put in him over the summer.
Meanwhile, fellow Premier League contenders Manchester United are also reportedly keen on Marquinhos after a series of impressive outings for the Ligue 1 champions.
The Blues were relentlessly in pursuit of Everton’s John Stones since the beginning of the summer but the Toffees were so resolute in their stance of not letting the England international centre-back leave Goodison park, hence, Chelsea turned attentions to Marquinhos as the transfer window drew to a close.
Marquinhos, though the same age as Stones, has more experience and is a better option than the former Barnsley ace. The only advantage there could be for Chelsea is that Stones will count as homegrown.
At 21, Marquinhos is also a full-time Brazilian international, having represented his nation at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The centre-back also has Champions League experience and is a champion with PSG at the domestic level.
Stones, on the other hand, only moved from League one side Barnsley to Everton in 2013 and has a stint in Europe only last year as the Toffees played in the Europa League.
While Stones’ quality is also not in doubt, getting Marquinhos would be a brilliant feat for Chelsea – whose defence prior to the Champions League game against Maccabi Tel Aviv during the midweek – has uncharacteristically leaked in 12 goals in the Premier League.