Man Utd and Arsenal REJECTED chance to sign PSG star on Deadline Day

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 3 Sep 2024 06:40 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United and Arsenal both rejected the opportunity to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Asensio late in the transfer window.

On Deadline Day, both Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta were keen on squad reinforcements and ended up concluding big business.

Man Utd finally got their midfield man in PSG's Manuel Ugarte, having chased him all summer, while Arsenal completed a surprise loan deal for Chelsea's Raheem Sterling.

READ MORE: Gyokeres makes HUGE transfer decision amid Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd interest

The Red Devils also let Jadon Sancho move to Stamford Bridge on loan with an obligation to buy for the Blues.

More star power might have been added if Man Utd or Arsenal took up the chance to sign Asensio. GiveMeSport reports that PSG attempted to catalyse an exit for the Spaniard by offering him to a number of Premier League clubs, with United and the Gunners their main target for negotiations.

Things never even got to the negotiating stage, however, as the English sides quickly told PSG they were not interested in a deal.

READ MORE: Chelsea ended talks with Arsenal target to sign Sancho

Marco Asensio offered to Man Utd and Arsenal

PSG suffered one major exit in the summer as Kylian Mbappe finally concluded his free transfer switch to Real Madrid.

Asensio has actually stepped up in Mbappe's absence and has been one of PSG's best players in the opening few matches of the campaign.

He has started all three Ligue 1 matches so far against Le Havre, Montpellier and Lille and emerged victorious in all three, contributing a goal and an assist. FootballCritic gave him a 7.8 FC Rating for his performance in the 6-0 victory against Montpellier.

The former Real Madrid attacking midfielder has only been at PSG for one season, having left Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.

He wasn't considered a key player in his first campaign as he started just 13 Ligue 1 matches. While PSG aren't necessarily forcing him out, they would welcome his 300k per week salary being removed from the wage bill.