PSG fancy Rashford, but it will not be that easy with a 12 month option in place

Seasoned Manchester United Academy graduate Marcus Rashford has more than made a name for himself at both Old Trafford, but also given his admirable political work in helping to encourage the Government previously to do the right thing when it came to children’s school meals.

With ongoing turmoil at United, there is no doubting Rashford’s form has suffered – but on a playing front he has not been the only one over the last couple of years to struggle at The Red Devil’s, and the 2021/22 was a particularly bad one for him personally – 32 appearances, and only five goals and he even seemed to lose England manager Gareth Southgate’s trust as we headed into the first ever winter World Cup out in Qatar, as it appeared his usual starting spot was massively in doubt.

With a great 2022/23 campaign for United though as new manager Erik ten Hag begins to shape the side in the way he wants, Rashford has eight goals in 19 games in the first half of the season given the pause we are now on, and his form for England is again catching the eye, as in four World Cup appearances he now has three goals under his belt. The bookies support that with their odds, as per this bet365 offer review.

His performances out in Qatar have certainly done his future no harm at all, as Paris Saint-Germain President, Nasser al-Khelaifi has had no issue about speaking about the 25 year old’s current contract situation, stating that he is an ‘amazing’ player that he would like to take to Paris.

“He’s another player that is really amazing. And for free? To have Rashford for free, every club would run after him, definitely. We’re not hiding it, we spoke before and there was interest, but the moment was not a good moment for both sides. Maybe, summer, why not? Today if he’s a free agent of course we can talk to him directly, but we are not going to talk to him now. Let him focus on the World Cup. Then after, in January hopefully, if we’re interested we will talk to him.”

Rashford remains under contract at Old Trafford until next summer, but United continue to have a 12 month extension option in place should they choose to use it, so talk of January negotiations is a little early at this stage. And let us face facts, if a club with the wealth of Paris Saint-Germain are sniffing around, even if they accept Rashford may now be looking for a new adventure and a new challenge, United are going to option that contract extension to drive transfer negotiations more in their favour.

With United dealing with the Financial Fair Play aftermath of the failed return of Cristiano Ronaldo and his ultimate free agency release, should Rashford wish to move on, as an Academy graduate it would be pure jam for the jam for them on an FFP front even if a 12 month extension only meant they could recoup in the region of £15 to £20 million for his services.

Rashford might not want to go anywhere, of course, but if Paris Saint-Germain think they would get him for free if he does, I imagine United will prove them quite wrong.