Saints told to up Rojo bid

Cape Town - Southampton are chasing the highly-rated Argentine defender Marcos Rojo's signature but their initial offer has been rejected.

The Express are reporting that Southampton have been told by Sporting Lisbon to increase their bid for the Argentina World Cup star by £5 million if they want to secure his services ahead of the new English Premiership season.  

Southampton are in desperate need of players after selling five key players in the off season including three defenders as new boss Ronald Koeman attempts to steady .

Rojo is open to leaving his domestic side Sporting Lisbon, and admitted he would consider his options from the 30th July.

He said: "We still do not know what my future will be.

"For now I intend to return to Sporting on the 30th July, and then we'll see.

"It is a matter for the club and my representatives. I'm cool."

Manchester United are said to monitoring Rojo's situation and may yet decide to swoop on the Argentine defender.