20 Goals, 20 Assists Haaland goal-mate reveal trasfer talk with Ten Hag as Man United promise him first summer signing

Man United may not be able to sign Kylian Mbappe from PSG, but the circumstance could cause issues inside Erik Ten Hag’s squad.

Manchester United is in need of a striker, and the man claiming to be the best player in the world is suddenly on the market. Erik Ten Hag may be anxious to sign Harry Kane, but he’s more likely to sign Kylian Mbappe.

That, of course, is so implausible as to be borderline impossible. The latest part of the Mbappe soap drama at PSG has enthralled fans this week, and how this series concludes is unknown, but it will not involve the player being paraded at Old Trafford.

Mbappe has informed PSG that he will not exercise his contract option in 2024 and will leave the club on a free transfer next summer. PSG is reportedly enraged by Mbappe’s superfluous letter announcing his intentions and has decided to sell him rather than risk losing him for nothing.

However, we’ve gone down this path before. Mbappe’s contract could expire. This summer, he could be sold. Or it could be a negotiation technique to get even more money and influence out of his team. All three situations appear to be possible.

For the time being, the most likely scenario is a departure this summer. PSG’s negotiating position is poor, but they would still get a good price for a 24-year-old who won the Golden Boot award after scoring a hat-trick in a World Cup final six months ago.

Real Madrid has been obsessed with signing Mbappe for some time, but doing so would need even more of the financial sleaze that has become the default policy for Spain’s top two. The acquisition of Jude Bellingham has consumed a sizable portion of Real’s summer budget.

The only other clubs in Europe that could afford Mbappe are in the Premier League, so a move across the Channel is doubtful. If the France international moves this summer, it will almost certainly be to fulfill his childhood ambition of playing for Real Madrid.

Mbappe’s departure from PSG may be an issue for United rather than an opportunity. Dwaine Maynard, Marcus Rashford’s brother, and agent, met with officials from the French club in Paris ten months ago.

PSG’s adoration for Rashford is long-standing, though it was widely assumed at the time that Maynard organized the meeting to put pressure on United to award his brother a new deal. It’s worth noting that this came after a season in which he had only five goals and was in an 18-month slump.

There has been no extension for nearly a year. Rashford’s form is the only thing that has changed in that period. After 30 goals this season, the club is under pressure to reach a contract agreement.

In barely over a year, the academy graduate may walk away with nothing. Time is running out for United to obtain a renewal, and while it is still expected, there was a belief it would be signed by now.

If PSG was interested in Rashford a year ago, they will be even more so now. If they lose Mbappe, they may easily see the 25-year-old as a potential successor, especially given their game similarities.

When speaking in December, PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi was pretty open about the conversations with Rashford and didn’t exactly disguise his interest in his signature.

“He’s another incredible player,” Khelaifi told Sky Sports News. “And all for free?” Every team would jump at the chance to sign Rashford for free. We’re not hiding it; we talked earlier and there was interest, but the timing wasn’t right for all parties. Perhaps, Summer, why not?

“We can talk to him directly today if he’s a free agent, but we’re not going to talk to him now.” Allow him to concentrate on the World Cup. Then, perhaps, in January, if we’re interested, we’ll talk to him.”

Rashford may not – and should not – regard PSG as an appealing option. For Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi, Paris has rarely been a fulfilling football destination. However, they might still be used as a negotiation ploy by Rashford’s camp, and in a far more realistic manner than last August.

The focus at Old Trafford right now is on strengthening Ten Hag’s squad, but Rashford’s contract predicament will be at least a little problem until it’s signed, and Mbappe’s current Parisian drama may not assist their cause.