Revealed: Mbappe’s four-man transfer shortlist included shock Man Utd star

Robin Bairner

1 Oct 2022 09:56 BST
3 min read

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in action for PSG — © ProShots

Kylian Mbappe wanted PSG to sign Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford his summer, according to a report from France.

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Mbappe was linked with a move to Real Madrid as a free agent but was ultimately persuaded to stay in Paris thanks to a succession of lavish offers from the board of the club.

The World Cup winner was given a say in transfer policy – but just because his voice was heard does not mean that everything he demanded came true.

Mbappe, for example, wanted to see the attack improved and RMC reports there was a four-man shortlist drawn up with this in mind.

Rashford heads Mbappe’s shortlist

Rashford was among those names on the list, but while links emerged no deal ever came to fruition. Indeed, it was even claimed from the Manchester side that the links had been generated with the intention of improving the England international’s bargaining position over a new contract.

Indeed, there was widespread surprise at the rumours at the time as Rashford spent the 2021/22 season out of form, scoring only five times in 32 matches in all competitions. This time around, he has netted three times already and is keeping Cristiano Ronaldo out of the Man Utd team.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old continues to be quietly on the radar of the Ligue 1 champions.

© ProShots - Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his scoring touch this season

Mbappe also had his eyes on a couple of centre forwards. Robert Lewandowski ultimately left Bayern Munich to sign for Barcelona, while the other player was Gianluca Scamacca, who signed for West Ham having impressed last season in Serie A with Sassuolo.

The final player that Mbappe wanted at PSG was Ousmane Dembele, whose contract expired at Barcelona last summer. Fears over the winger’s injury record, though, prevented a deal from being made and he would ultimately remain at Camp Nou, where Barca are desperately scrambling to tie him down to another new deal due to a clause in his present contract.

Rashford to PSG, meanwhile, is certainly not a dead deal, particularly while Mbappe remains influential at the Parc des Princes side. Manchester United need the assurance of their forward signing a new contract to put any doubts they may have over his future finally to bed.