Arsenal plot jaw-dropping Man Utd raid that would enrage Ten Hag and complete dream Arteta line-up

Arsenal have set their sights on signing a Man Utd forward in what would be a historic switch between the two English giants, per a report.

The Gunners fell to a 3-1 defeat against Man City on Wednesday night that saw the remainder of their lead atop the table wiped out.

Gabriel Martinelli struggled to impose himself on the game and was once again replaced off the bench by January recruit Leandro Trossard.

Eddie Nketiah, meanwhile, missed a glorious chance to open the scoring and the league’s all-time leading scorer – Alan Shearer – fears for the Arsenal frontman.

Gabriel Jesus would ordinarily lead the line in place of Nketiah, though remains sidelined with a knee injury.

However, according to Football Insider, Arsenal have set their sights on an almost unimaginable swoop for Man Utd’s Marcus Rashford.

If signed, the Man Utd superstar would slot straight in on Arteta’s left wing and complete a dream front four consisting of Rashford, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka behind Jesus.

Rashford contract situation emboldens Arsenal

FI report Arsenal are monitoring Rashford’s situation at Old Trafford amid ‘continued uncertainty’ over his contract status.

The 25-year-old has unquestionably been the Premier League’s best player since the World Cup. His remarkable tally since Qatar stands at 13 goals in 15 matches.

United activated a one-year option in Rashford’s contract on December 20. As such, his current deal is due to expire at the end of next season, not this one.

However, that’s not stopped Bayern Munich from sizing up a potential free agent coup in 2024 if Rashford doesn’t put pen to paper in Manchester.

Arsenal too are seemingly sensing an opportunity and manager Arteta is termed a ‘huge fan’ of the England international.

Whether Arsenal would be willing to bid for Rashford in the summer isn’t clear. The alternative would be waiting until he becomes a free agent in 2024.

But what is clear is Man Utd will do all they can to not only deny Arsenal, but tie their talisman down to a new and improved deal.

Rashford exit unthinkable for Ten Hag and Man Utd

Talks over a longer-term extension have taken place and both talkSPORT and the Manchester Evening News reports it’s been relatively smooth sailing.

However, in the event negotiations break down – potentially over Erik ten Hag’s ‘Ronaldo rule’ – Arsenal and Bayern will be ready to pounce.

The FI report concludes Man Utd have zero intention of selling Rashford at this stage. Their hope and expectation is a new contract will be signed and they believe Rashford can become even better than he’s been this season.

United are known to be hunting a new centre-forward in the summer and per the Telegraph, their primary candidates are Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen.

But losing Rashford would simultaneously weaken Ten Hag’s front line and give the Dutchman a second void to fill.

Moves between Arsenal and Man Utd are generally rare in the Premier League era, especially for players the calibre of Rashford who is just now entering his prime.

Robin van Persie moved from London to Manchester and helped United win the league in 2013. Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mhkitaryan have also switched sides.

While it remains unlikely Rashford will join that list, Arsenal will seemingly do all they can to make the jaw-dropping switch a reality.

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