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Football transfer rumours: Marcus Rashford to Paris Saint-Germain?

Asked about the dawn of the Erik ten Hag era last month, Marcus Rashford said: “For me it is a fresh start, something I am looking forward to.” Now, after a tumultuous pre-season, a deflating defeat to Brighton and much flailing about in the market by the Manchester United hierarchy, we’re about to find out whether he still feels the same. According to L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain have the England international in their sights. Speaking earlier this week, Christophe Galtier, the latest manager tasked with crafting a coherent team out of vast stacks of Qatar’s money, confirmed: “We want another striker to come in. With a busy schedule, we want arrivals.”

United, meanwhile, are still thrashing about desperately in search of their next signing. Sasa Kalajdzic is the latest forward to be touted for a move to Old Trafford, but, in another absurd turn of events, it seemed Ralf Rangnick, now Kalajdzic’s manager at international level, has suggested the Austria international would be better off sticking with VfB Stuttgart. “It is important that Sasa remains injury-free this season and trains and plays at the highest possible level,” said Rangnick, in quotes carried by Sky Germany. “If he stays in Stuttgart this season, it will not be detrimental to his development.”

Over at the Etihad, things seem relatively serene. Manchester City are still in the market for a left-back, however, with the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal leaving Pep Guardiola without the overwhelming strength in depth he has become accustomed to. Having spent a meagre £93m this summer while racking up cash from player sales, no doubt he can stretch his budget a little further. Renan Lodi is one of the names on his shortlist, while he has also been credited with an interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Raphaël Guerreiro.

Then there’s Kieran Tierney which, given that Mikel Arteta has only just struck a delicate competitive balance at left-back by signing Zinchenko, would effectively be an act of vandalism. Admittedly, though, it would also be very funny. Meanwhile, City are edging closer to a deal for Sergio Gómez, another left-back, for a fee which could rise as high as €15m (£12.7m). At 21, the Anderlecht youngster will presumably come in as back-up.

Elsewhere, it seems that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would prefer to stay at Barcelona than move to Chelsea. Xavi still rates the former Arsenal man and would rather pull the economic lever known as Memphis Depay instead, with Tottenham and Juventus among those linked with the Netherlands international.

Having only just agreed to make Remo Freuler their 14th signing of the summer, Nottingham Forest are now looking for their 15th. They have offered Watford around £20m for Emmanuel Dennis, who produced a reasonable return of 10 goals in 33 appearances in the Premier League last season. Forest face stiff competition for another target, Emerson Palmieri, who is wanted by Atalanta having previously impressed in Serie A with Roma.

Everton also look set for a busy spell, with Southampton’s Che Adams and Rennes’ Serhou Guirassy on their radar. Of course, Frank Lampard won’t want to “Che” over the odds! No, but seriously, it’s very important they get their transfer business done as soon as possible.