Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Mikel Arteta 'speaks with Manchester United attacker over Arsenal switch'

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 May 2024, 22:27
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has reportedly spoken to a struggling Manchester United attacker to gauge his interest in a summer switch to the Emirates.

A high-profile omission from the England provisional squad for Euro 2024, Marcus Rashford has fallen out of favour with Gareth Southgate on the back of a 2023-24 campaign that left a lot to be desired.

The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a departure from Old Trafford in 2022, having lost his way under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, but Erik ten Hag vetoed his exit and saw his decision vindicated.

A rejuvenated Rashford came up with 30 goals and 10 assists in 56 matches across all competitions last season - including 17 Premier League efforts - but he suffered another disappointing regression in 2023-24.

In addition to recording just eight goals and five assists in 43 games, the Englishman also landed himself in hot water with Ten Hag for reporting ill to training after visiting a Dublin nightclub, leading to his absence from an FA Cup tie with Newport County.

Arteta, Rashford 'in agreement over Arsenal move'

The pair quickly patched things up, and Rashford was a starter in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup final success over Manchester City, but he came off in the 74th minute without directly contributing to either of his side's goals.

Nevertheless, the England international has four years left to run on his Old Trafford terms - having signed a long-running extension last summer - and a recent report stated that he has told Man United of his desire to stay at the club.

However, a conflicting claim from X account @AFCAMDEN claims that Arteta and Rashford have spoken about a possible move to Arsenal this summer, as the Spaniard is especially keen to have him in his ranks.

The interest is supposedly mutual, but a deal would hinge on Man United's willingness to do business with one of their biggest Premier League rivals, making a transfer relatively unlikely.

Paris Saint-Germain had previously been touted as a possible destination for the attacker as the French champions plan for life after Kylian Mbappe, but Les Parisiens have turned their attention to Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia instead.

Would Rashford fit in at Arsenal?

While there have been some inevitable transfer failures along the way, most Gooners have learned not to question Arteta's wisdom in the transfer market lest they be eating their words when the season is in full swing.

Kai Havertz was the Spaniard's latest successful revival project - even if it took a few months to reap the rewards of his unwavering loyalty to the German - so there is no reason why Arteta cannot get the best out of Rashford either.

However, a player of his profile is arguably the last thing that the Gunners need right now, as his best position is undeniably off the left, where Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are already jostling for minutes.

A new centre-forward is a priority for Arsenal, and even though Rashford has been deployed as the attacking focal point at various points under Ten Hag, any Man United fan will be too happy to inform you about his struggles as a number nine.

Furthermore, a new right-winger, central midfielder and goalkeeper are also on Edu's shopping list for the summer, so from an outside view, pursuing a deal for Rashford - who would cost a pretty penny indeed and could use up a large chunk of the window if Man United play hardball - does not make an awful lot of sense.

Top News

26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly given consideration to an audacious swap deal that would see two players depart in exchange for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to give their survival ambitions another significant boost, relegation-threatened Dundalk will welcome surprise package Waterford United to Oriel Park for a League of Ireland clash on Friday night. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nacho's 23-year association with Real Madrid will officially come to an end on June 30, with the centre-back set to leave the European champions when his current deal expires. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Former England defender Jamie Carragher has doubted whether the Three Lions can win Euro 2024 despite being regarded as pre-tournament favourites. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The EFL revealed on Wednesday morning the schedule and fixture list for the 2024-25 Championship season. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gareth Southgate's lackadaisical England side played their part in matching an unwanted record thanks to their goalless draw with Slovenia in their final Euro 2024 Group C contest. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England head coach Gareth Southgate has said that he 'understands' the frustration of the supporters, with some throwing plastic cups towards him following Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Slovenia. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Croatia's elimination from Euro 2024 in the group stage was confirmed on Tuesday evening, with Zlatko Dalic's side no longer able to advance as one of the four best third-placed outfits. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Hull City forward Jaden Philogene during this summer's transfer window. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Euro 2024 will enter the last knockings of the group stage on Wednesday night, and while 11 of the last 16 places have already been accounted for, the battle for the remaining slots is still red hot. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering making a move for Everton centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin during this summer's transfer window. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erik ten Hag is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract at Manchester United, with the finer details of the fresh agreement expected to be finalised 'this week'. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town and Burnley - two clubs relegated from the Premier League - will square off on the opening day of the 2024-25 Championship season. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe are getting business done as they look to give themselves the best possible chance at success in the new season. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovakia vs. Romania (Wednesday, 5.00pm) In the most hotly-contested group at Euro 2024, third-placed Slovakia are set to face leaders Romania on Wednesday in Group E at Deutsche Bank Park in each side's final group stage game, and the winner could qualify for the knockout rounds in first place. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham have reportedly stood firm on their asking price for Bayern Munich target Joao Palhinha. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has encouraged head coach Arne Slot to sign a new "number six" in the summer transfer window. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to snap their four-match winless run, Sao Paulo play host to Criciuma at the Estadio do Morumbi in round 12 of the Brasileiro Serie A on Wednesday. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly offered out-of-favour winger Jadon Sancho to La Liga giants Barcelona this summer. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly open to selling midfielder Ilkay Gundogan this summer amid concerns over their financial situation. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Barcelona to inform them that they expect to sign Marc Guiu. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Denmark were evidently riding high on confidence after their impressive performance against England, as they pressed Serbia aggressively to good effect from the front and dictated the tempo of the game in possess with patient build-up play, picking their moments to get players into the opposing box. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England have finished top of Group C at Euro 2024 despite playing out a drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Tuesday night. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final round of Euro 2024 group matches is in full swing as teams battle it out to reach the knockout rounds in Germany. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Austria have qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 as Group D winners after beating the Netherlands 3-2 in a thriller at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Tuesday evening. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France missed out on top spot in Group D after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland despite Kylian Mbappe scoring his first goal at a European Championship. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England reached the Euro 2024 knockout rounds on Monday after Spain claimed a 1-0 victory in their final group game against Albania. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug has reportedly been identified as a summer transfer target by fellow Bundesliga club Stuttgart. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have announced that they have completed the signing of highly-rated Eric da Silva Moreira. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The USA can potentially qualify for the knockout stage of the Copa America on Thursday when they face Panama in matchday two action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.