The Transfers Podcast: Rashford leads Man Utd exodus, Arsenal's Arteta problem

Tom Weber

Updated: 8 Jan 2025 14:03 CST
4 min read

Marcus Rashford, Mikel Arteta, Transfers Podcast — © IMAGO

The Transfers Podcast, powered by FootballTransfers.com and hosted by Duncan Castles, brings you the latest news and insight from the world of football.

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Here is a detailed look at the key headlines discussed in this week’s episode with the Sunday Times' Chief Football Correspondent Jonathan Northcroft.

Kolo Muani offered to Man Utd

One of the most intriguing sagas taking shape this month involves PSG outcast Randal Kolo Muani, who has been told to look for a new club by the French champions.

The Transfers Podcast understands that his agent has offered the 26-year-old striker to Man Utd, Tottenham and Aston Villa, though PSG have yet to open formal talks and expect more suitors to enter the frame.

"His agent's been given an open door to offer him to any club to see if they can find the deal, which Paris Saint-Germain would prefer to be a purchase," says The Transfers Podcast's Duncan Castles.

"They want money as quickly as possible in order to buy a replacement player who they've already identified."

Rashford leads Man Utd exodus

There has been talk of a potential swap deal between Man Utd and PSG for Kolo Muani and Marcus Rashford, but The Transfer Podcast understands that the French champions have cooled their historic interest in the England forward.

Nevertheless, Rashford is expected to depart Man Utd in what is likely to be the start of a large-scale exodus. "I think it's clear that they have come to the conclusion that they have to make radical changes to the squad," Castles said of Ruben Amorim's side.

"And that involves selling players, something that should have been done in the summer. I know they were advised in the summer that Rashford was one of the key assets where they could make PSR profit for a homegrown player and it was probably best to cash in on him at that point."

Arsenal have an Arteta problem

There is no denying that Mikel Arteta has done a brilliant job at Arsenal, but his growing influence should perhaps come to worry Gunners fans. "Arteta went into the season in the strongest position of power ever at the club, having been handed a new three-year contract in September," Castles began.

"That contract, I'm told, was one of the key reasons why Edu resigned from his position as sporting director to take up a broader position with Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Maranakis because he wasn't happy with Arteta's increasing authority at the club."

Edu appears to have had the correct hunch as Arteta's expanding control has brought with it regression rather than progression. "This was their window to achieve," Northcroft concurred. "And they've gone backwards and that's a bleak position for them to be in, in many ways, when you really digest it.

"They now look like there's a lot of work to be done and I don't think they have huge funds left. They've already backed Arteta a lot and yet they still look like they need a lot of reinforcing to really challenge for that title properly."

Other News

The Transfers Podcast also covered the following news this week:

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's mistakes mount up at Man Utd

Arne Slot's bald genius at Liverpool

What is to be done with Trent Alexander-Arnold?

How to fix Man City?

It's now or never for Tottenham

Stay tuned to the Transfers Podcast for more in-depth analysis, and follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates in the world of football.