Arsenal 'have contacted Manchester United' over surprise £20m transfer
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Arsenal have approached Manchester United over a potential deal for Marcus Rashford, according to reports in Italy.
United are open to selling Rashford this month after he publicly indicated in December that he is looking to leave Old Trafford in order to find a ‘new challenge’.
Rashford’s brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, travelled to Italy this week to hold talks with AC Milan but an agreement has not been reached with the Serie A club.
Juventus and Como have also expressed an interest in signing Rashford, although United are insisting that any loan deal would require a club to cover over half of the forward’s £325,000-a-week salary.
West Ham have also been linked with a move for Rashford but reports in Italy claimed on Friday that Arsenal have made an approach.
During an appearance on Sky Sports Italy’s show ‘Calciomercato l’Originale’, Massimo Marianella reported that Arsenal have held initial talks with United for Rashford.
Marianella added that United are demanding a €25 million (£20.9m) fee for the 27-year-old.
Rashford has not featured for United since December 12 and was left out of four matchday squads by Ruben Amorim.
Speaking on Friday, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, claimed it would be ‘very difficult’ to sign a player who could make an immediate impact to his side in the January transfer window.
Asked what he looks for in a January transfer target, Arteta replied: ‘First of all someone who can impact the team.
‘Bringing in bodies doesn’t help at all, it’s just about somebody who can impact immediately the performance.
‘It can bring something that we don’t have, actually. That, in this market, is very difficult to achieve.’
Arteta also insisted that Arsenal’s transfer plans are constantly changing.
‘We always have discussions about how we can improve the team,’ the Spaniard said.
‘Always, whether the market is open or closed, because we have to plan for what the necessities are right now, and what the necessities are in the long term.
‘The circumstances change because we have certain injuries to big players. There’s always a possibility but always if we believe it’s someone who is going to make us much better.’
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