Arsenal Eye Opportunity as Barcelona Move for Rashford Stalls and PSG Consider £61m Swap Proposal
While Marcus Rashford’s hoped-for long-term transfer to Barcelona might not materialize this summer, it seems Paris Saint-Germain has already begun exploring the possibility of acquiring the winger from Manchester United.
They’ve reportedly floated a potentially appealing player exchange deal, even as Arsenal also express interest in securing his services.
Rashford is currently playing for Barcelona on a temporary basis, and the Spanish club possesses the ability to make the arrangement a full transfer for a fee of €30 million.
His contributions of six goals and nine assists for the prominent La Liga team would seemingly make a permanent acquisition a logical decision.
However, a report from the Spanish publication Nacional indicates that the club’s leadership, including president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, may have other targets and objectives that take precedence.
This could force Rashford to explore different potential destinations.
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Reports suggest Barcelona’s manager is considering bringing in a younger forward to eventually succeed Robert Lewandowski, who is 37.
This potential acquisition is being considered regardless of whether Marcus Rashford joins the team for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, at Manchester United, the manager, possibly a different individual, has reportedly decided that Rashford doesn’t fit into his plans.
Furthermore, Rashford himself is said to be unwilling to continue playing for the club he grew up supporting.
Luckily for Rashford, Paris Saint-Germain, who have apparently been interested in him before, are once again monitoring his situation closely.
Manchester United would reportedly prefer to sell him to the French club over either Chelsea or Arsenal, as they are hesitant to strengthen a direct competitor within the English Premier League.
The report further indicates that an exchange deal involving Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain has been explored.
Specifically, the potential transfer of Marcus Rashford to PSG’s Parc des Princes has been considered, with Bradley Barcola moving in the opposite direction to Old Trafford.
Barcola’s position in the starting eleven under manager Luis Enrique has reportedly diminished following the acquisitions of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desiré Doué.
This reduced playing time could make a transfer appealing to the young player.
However, PSG would not agree to a straight swap. Due to Barcola’s currently estimated higher worth in the transfer market, the French club would likely demand an additional monetary sum on top of receiving Rashford in any such deal to balance the perceived value difference.
Contrasting with that previous assessment, football analyst Terry Gibson, who covers La Liga, expresses strong conviction that Rashford’s transfer to Barcelona will become a permanent arrangement once the current season concludes.
Gibson explained that Rashford has thrived due to absences among Barcelona’s attacking players.
He pointed out that injuries to Rafinha, Yamal, Lewandowski, and Ferran Torres have created consistent playing opportunities for Rashford.
Gibson suggests that this uninterrupted playing time has allowed Rashford to adjust to the team, build his self-assurance, and ultimately perform in a way that aligns with Barcelona’s style of play.
“I’m confident Barcelona will make the signing permanent. There’s no logical argument against it, really. You can’t depend on just a trio of players for the entire season.
In my view, he’ll be actively competing to be the preferred option amongst that group; I consider that practically guaranteed.
“Obviously, Lewandowski will be the spearhead in attack, supported by Yamal and Raphinha on the wings.
Their performances from the previous campaign strongly suggest they’ll begin as the primary attacking trio. However, the reality of a long season is that availability is never a certainty.
“With a grueling schedule of approximately 60 matches, inevitably, injuries and fatigue will impact at least one of them at various times.
Therefore, I’m quite certain that Barcelona will ultimately commit the funds to secure a permanent deal.
“Admittedly, securing £30 million presents a challenge for Barcelona right now, perhaps more so than in the past, financially speaking.
“However, with the return to the revamped stadium and the premium pricing on tickets, drawing in large crowds – we’re seeing figures around 45,000 currently, and that’s likely to rise – Barcelona’s financial health will steadily improve.
Before long, they’ll regain their solid financial foundation and be in a position to pursue top-tier players and bring back world-class talent to the club.”
