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Paris Saint-Germain have already begun working on a succession plan for life after Kylian Mbappe and could raid Manchester United this summer, according to reports.
The France international informed PSG’s hierarchy last week that he would not be triggering a one-year extension on his current deal and will instead leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Long-time suitors Real Madrid are the clear frontrunners for his signature, though his camp are believed to have sounded out teams in the Premier League including Manchester City and Arsenal.
Although PSG will not receive any fee for Mbappe, they stand to save around €200million (£171m) in the shape of the striker’s mammoth salary – which is the biggest in the world.
The French champions intend to reinvest all of that on new attackers and, according to The Times, are ready to reignite their long-standing interest in Rashford.
The 26-year-old has been on the radar of PSG for a number of years and they most recently tried to lure him to the Parc des Princes at the backend of 2022, when he was about to enter the final six months of his contract.
But United decided to trigger a one-year extension and he has since signed a new deal that keeps him at Old Trafford until 2028.
That will not deter PSG, however, with the club’s football adviser, Luis Campos, a big fan of Rashford.
The Parisians ideally want to bring in a player who is capable of playing either from the left wing – where Mbappe predominantly lines up before drifting centrally – or as a central striker.
Rashford would tick both boxes, though PSG are also considering a swoop for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen who is a more orthodox No.9 to lead the line.
The Nigeria international has a £100m release clause in his contract and has already expressed his intention to leave Naples at the end of the season.
Rashford, meanwhile, is said to have held ‘direct talks’ with Campos previously and could be open to stepping into Mbappe’s shoes at PSG, particularly with his time at United having started to sour after a spectacular second half of the 2022-23 campaign.
The forward was on fire in front of goal following the World Cup but has just five goals in 29 appearances this season.
He has also been dropped twice by manager Erik ten Hag for breaching his strict disciplinary rules, though any decision over Rashford’s future at United will ultimately be decided by the club’s new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
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