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Published January 9, 2025 1:38pm Updated January 9, 2025 1:38pm
Manchester United have held talks with Napoli over a potential swap deal involving Marcus Rashford and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, according to reports.
Rashford made it clear in an interview last month that he is keen to leave United in order to find a ‘new challenge’, while his brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, travelled to Italy this week to hold talks with AC Milan.
It’s understood that the Serie A club are keen for an initial loan deal with an option to buy, while another major issue is United’s insistence that over half of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week salary is covered.
United are in the market to sign cover for Rashford and according to L’Equipe, the Premier League side have been in negotiations with Napoli over an exchange deal involving Kvaratskhelia but they face strong competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old, who has been one of Napoli’s standout performers since his arrival in a €10m (£8.6m) deal from Dinamo Batumi in 2022, has held talks over a new contract with the Italian club but an agreement has not been reached.
During negotiations over a new deal, Kvaratskhelia’s representatives are said to have requested an €80m (£67m) release clause.
PSG attempted to sign Kvaratskhelia last summer and the French champions have reignited their interest this window by opening fresh talks over a move for the Georgia international.
L’Equipe report that unlike last summer, Napoli are now open to selling Kvaratskhelia, who was valued in excess of €100m (£85m) last year.
PSG are looking to sign a new attacker with the expectation that Randal Kolo Muani leaves this month.
The 26-year-old, who was signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for €75m (£64.2m) plus €15m (£12.2m) in add-ons in 2023, has started just two games for PSG this season and has struggled to secure a regular role under Luis Enrique.
United have already held talks over a deal for the France international but face competition from Tottenham and Juventus.
Meanwhile, Napoli are in negotiations with Chelsea over a permanent deal for their 21-year-old midfielder Cesare Casadei.
Reports in Italy on Thursday claimed that Chelsea are demanding a fee over €15m (£12.5m) for Casadei as well as a significant sell-on clause.
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