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Paris St-Germain to step up bid to sign Marcus Rashford

Manchester United transfer news: PSG poised to step up Marcus Rashford interest - Frank Augstein/AP
Manchester United transfer news: PSG poised to step up Marcus Rashford interest - Frank Augstein/AP

Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is poised to step up his bid to land Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United forward’s goalscoring form at the World Cup.

The England forward has scored three goals in Qatar and Al-Khelaifi has confirmed interest in the 25-year-old, who is almost certain to have a one-year extension triggered by United before he can talk to clubs next month about a free transfer at the end of the season.

United are open to a long-term deal being agreed but PSG still have an interest after initially wanting him in the summer.

"We're not hiding it, we spoke before and... interest. But the moment was not a good moment for both sides," he said on Sky Sports.

"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’s future at United looked uncertain during time he has been out of the team but he has played his way back into form that has earned him an England recall, and he is the Three Lions' top scorer in Qatar.

PSG have also declared an interest in signing Jude Bellingham after the Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s form. Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea are among the teams interested in the 19-year-old.

"An amazing player, what a player," Al-Khelaifi said. "England are lucky to have him. He is one of the best players in the tournament. His first World Cup and he is calm, relaxed and confident.

"Listen, everybody wants him. I am not going to hide it. I respect him. He has his club. If we want to talk to him we will talk to the club."


Glazers turn down dividend payment

By Luke Edwards

For the first time since 2016, the Glazer family did not take their biannual dividend payment, according to the latest accounts released by Manchester United.

Instead of taking their normal lump sum the Glazer family claimed they decided to invest in players instead. The news comes less than a month after the family confirmed that they had put the club up for sale.

Last year, the Glazer family, who bought the Premier League giants 17 years ago, took out almost £60m in dividend payments. But in a background document attached to the new set of accounts a statement said: “The board of directors did not approve the payment of the semi-annual dividend for fiscal 2023; decision reflected factors including the significant investment made in the team last summer."

That claim will raise eyebrows among supporters who would argue that the money belonged to the club in the first place although it does reveal how bady the board wanted to back Erik ten Hag after persuading him to leave Ajax.

Manchester United spent about £225m in the summer to try and give the Dutchman a stronger squad to challenge for Champions League qualification this season.

There was little change to the overall financial picture at Old Trafford, with the gross debt standing at $650 (£531m). The club has raised its revenue guidance for the full year to within a range £590-£610m, which would be the highest income level since the pandemic.