Marcus Rashford to Arsenal transfer message sent as Mikel Arteta already knows truth about £65m

Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has tipped Manchester United to keep Marcus Rashford this summer, with the Gunners linked with a sensational move for the 26-year-old following his difficult 2023/24 campaign.

With just eight goals and five assists in 38 appearances, compared to a total of 40 goals the previous season, Rashford has been mooted as a possible move away from Old Trafford. Paris Saint-Germain, who are looking for a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, are one of the clubs interested in signing the England international.

Aside from the French giants, Arsenal have been mooted as a potential destination for Rashford, although Silvestre believes it would be better for him to stay at United. “Letting Rashford go would not be the right decision because you have to go to the market and find someone better than Marcus, if that’s the case,” he told bettingexpert.com.

“If you find this player, he will be very expensive. Marcus is a veteran of Manchester, an experienced player from the academy. I think he wants to stay. The manager likes him. I just hope Marcus bounces back this season.” With the message clear to Erik ten Hag, it is very likely that Rashford will stay at his boyhood club, although it cannot be ruled out that Mikel Arteta will push for him.

Twelve months ago, Kai Havertz surprisingly emerged as an Arsenal transfer target despite a difficult season with Chelsea. Weeks after initial interest was expressed, Havertz joined Arsenal in a £65m deal that was only mocked because the 25-year-old scored 21 goals and became a crucial part of Arteta’s starting XI.

It is therefore not out of the question that the Gunners will enquire about Rashford, but they will likely have to pay a hefty fee to sign him. With the summer window open for the next 50 days or so, Arteta was asked about the club’s transfer plans, and his answer was indicative of what is to come.

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“I think both things are going in the same direction (players coming and going from the club),” he told ESPN. “There are things we have to improve, for sure and we will try to do it. But the market is delicate.”

“We have been very aggressive, we are very determined and we have a clear idea of ​​what we want to do. It will be a matter of finding the right agreements at the right time.”