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Manchester United tying down Marcus Rashford to a new deal at Old Trafford will be an 'exception to the rule' regarding any notion of a salary cap at the Red Devils, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Marcus Rashford?

According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano writing in his exclusive column for Caught Offside, Rashford is now close to finalizing new terms at Manchester United.

Romano detailed: "I can confirm that Marcus Rashford is really close to signing new long term deal at United, though when it’ll be announced is up to the club. It’s technically not done yet, some details have to be clarified soon but talks are very advanced. Man United believe this is like a new signing because Rashford was out of contract in 2024 and many top clubs including PSG were keeping close eye on Marcus’ situation."

The Daily Mail also report along similar lines, revealing that Manchester United are in the latter stages of being able to tie Rashford down on a new deal and that discussions between the club and Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund are continuing to take place.

Capology understand that Rashford earns around £200k-a-week on his current terms at Old Trafford that are set to run until June 2024.

Back in January, The Daily Mail indicated that Manchester United had introduced a new salary cap dubbed the 'Ronaldo rule' that would forbid playing staff from earning over £200,000 per week.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones believes that any notion of a salary cap would exclude Rashford due to his importance at Manchester United.

Jones said: "I was always told as part of this is the general salary cap, yes, will be £300,000, but there always has to be, one, two or three players that are an exception to the rule.

"Marcus Rashford is absolutely an exception to the rule. This is a player that you can't allow to leave the club."

Should Marcus Rashford be excluded from Manchester United's salary cap?

In short, Rashford, who has been hailed as a "standout" player by Declan Rice, is too important to Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag to have any limits bestowed upon his attempts to make sure the England international stays at Old Trafford for the long term.

Last campaign, Rashford racked up 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils, as per Transfermarkt.

The 26-year-old was also Manchester United's third most consistent performer during the season gone behind Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, picking up an average match rating of 7.08/10 for his exploits on the field, according to WhoScored.

FBRef illustrate that Rashford played a crucial part in chance provision for the Red Devils as well, successfully carrying out 120 shot-creating actions in total.

Manchester United fans will be relieved to see Rashford being on the verge of signing a new contract at his boyhood club, as his goals proved vital to their eventual qualification for Champions League football in 2023/24.

All focus at the club will now be on trying to improve on their efforts in the 2022/23 campaign and seeing how close they can push their rivals for the Premier League crown.

Leeds United could finally be set to begin their summer spending on the first team, with defensive additions an unsurprising priority…

Who are Leeds United signing?

With Daniel Farke now installed as manager, there should be little standing in the way of the Whites' impending revolution.

The hope will be that their new German boss can make the necessary changes to turn them into a force capable of dominating the Championship at the first time of asking, having just been relegated from the top flight.

Putting aside the addition of Lewis Pirie as one for the future, a report from German outlet Bild now suggest that the Yorkshire outfit are set to battle for the signature of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Alexander Nubel as their first big acquisition of this new regime.

With the 26-year-old having seen little game time for the Bavarian giants, it seems he is now set to take his career into his own hands and stake his claim as a number one elsewhere. Football Transfers value the German at just €13m (£11m).

Who is Alexander Nubel?

As a product of the SC Paderborn academy, eventually making his mark at Schalke 04, Bayern were willing recipients of the shot-stopper who joined them on a free transfer in 2020.

However, since moving he has seen his career stagnate somewhat, having been moved into a supplementary role behind the legendary Manuel Neuer, and since forced out on loan. He has played just four times for the club, and most recently spent a two-year loan at AS Monaco.

It is this stint in France that has put him in the shop window though, given his strong performances that have unsurprisingly garnered interest.

Most recently, Nubel would maintain a 6.93 average rating in Ligue 1, which was a figure buoyed by the staggering 3.7 saves he would make per game, keeping nine clean sheets in the process, via Sofascore. Despite a lack of play time before this loan, he has shown little signs of rust.

European football expert Kevin Hatchard sought to detail exactly what made the keeper such a unique asset back in 2019, which is sure to have only improved with this experience. He told talkSPORT: "He is the captain of Schalke and a goalkeeper in his early 20s. He is a very good goalkeeper with a [Manuel] Neuer vibe about him. He’s good with his feet, commanding, and he’s got a bit of arrogance about him which I don’t think is a terrible thing."

To pair this erratic but ultimately solid star with Leeds' sole defensive shining light in Wober, Farke could immediately form the foundations of a new-look backline that could put aside their defensive frailties of recent years.

Last campaign in the Premier League saw the Whites ship 78 goals, the most in the division.

However, having joined the club in January, the Austria international proved himself to be more than capable of holding his own at this level.

He maintained a 6.84 average Sofascore rating in the league, with his defensive statistics feeding into such an admirable figure for a side that fell to the drop. He would record 1.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and four clearances per game, with his rating actually making him the third-best performer within the squad, of those who featured more than five times, via Sofascore.

His solidity would complement well with the unpredictable nature of Nubel, whilst it is this instinctive play style that likely caught the eye of Bayern, and has allowed him to impress in Monaco.

He could answer Farke's prayers towards finally shoring up Leeds' notoriously leaky defence.

Glasgow Rangers have so far made seven summer signings in order to significantly bolster their squad ahead of the rigours of the 2023/24 campaign, which will once again feature Champions League football.

Michael Beale has so far done well to offset the departures of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos – both leaving following the end of their contracts – by luring forwards Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers, and Abdallah Sima to Ibrox, alongside attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell. If these four make an immediate impact at the Ibrox side, then the achievements of Kent and Morelos may soon be forgotten by the supporters, especially if the club win silverware next season.

Beale doesn’t appear to be stopping there either, with Brazilian forward Danilo being eyed as his next arrival in Glasgow. An initial offer of £4.5m was rejected by Feyenoord for the striker, however, the Gers could be set to test their resolve with another bid.

The Eredivisie side value him at around £6.5m and with plenty of players departing club this summer in order to raise funds, the fee shouldn’t prove to be a problem. If Beale can't get a deal over the line for the 24-year-old, he could target an ideal alternative – Anastasios Douvikas.

Will Rangers sign another striker this summer?

There is no doubt that at least one more forward will arrive through the door at Ibrox during the window, especially if Antonio Colak does leave the club amid recent interest from the Bundesliga and MLS clubs.

Last month it was claimed that Rangers were set to make a bid of £7m according to Greek outlet Nova Sports (via The Daily Record), while Celtic were also seemingly keen on the player and if a move for Danilo falls through, Beale should divert all his attention to luring the Greek international to Scotland.

Last season, the “sharp” frontman – as dubbed by journalist Josh Bunting – netted an impressive 19 goals in just 24 starts for FC Utrecht last season, and this total would have seen him rank as the highest scorer in the Rangers side during 2022/23, with James Tavernier and Colak finishing on 18 goals apiece.

Indeed, his overall tally of 22 goals in 36 matches across all competitions was better than Danilo’s total, as the Brazilian scored 14 goals from 48 games, indicating that the Utrecht hitman has a much better strike rate.

Douvikas doesn’t just score more goals, he also has a higher percentage of shots on target (46.1% to 39.7%), registers more shot-creating actions (49 to 44) and takes more touches in the attacking penalty area (142 to 106) than Danilo, and he appears to be a more rounded forward than Danilo, giving Beale some interesting options on where to play him.

The Feyenoord striker does appear to be the main target given that the Gers are looking to make a second bid for him, yet Douvikas could be an excellent alternative, not only by having a better scoring rate but also by getting into the box more often while generating more shot-creating actions.

Glasgow Rangers have been active throughout the summer transfer window so far as Michael Beale has made seven additions to his playing squad.

Who have Rangers signed this summer?

The Light Blues head coach has been able to sign Kieran Dowell, Sam Lammers, Leon Balogun, Dujon Sterling, Cyriel Dessers, and Jack Butland on permanent deals, whilst Abdallah Sima has joined on loan from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

There is still more than a month to run before the deadline passes, though, and the Scottish giants are still in the market to land another number nine, as they are reportedly pursuing a deal for Feyenoord ace Danilo.

The Daily Record recently reported that the Gers have had an offer of around £5.2m rejected by the Dutch club, who are holding out for a fee of more than £6m for their second-choice striker.

Jordan Campbell, of The Athletic, has claimed that the 24-year-old marksman is being eyed as a 'hybrid' forward to start alongside Dessers in the attack.

Beale could, however, find a dream alternative for that role by swooping for Montenegro international Nikola Krstovic, who was reportedly priced out of a move to Ibrox earlier this year.

How much would Nikola Krstovic cost Rangers?

Football Insider claimed that Dunajska Streda valued that prolific machine at up to £5m in order to ward off interest from the Light Blues.

Yet, the club's £5.2m offer for Danilo suggests that they are now willing to shell out that kind of fee for a striker, which could open the door for them to go back in for the 23-year-old dynamo.

Krstovic could be perfectly suited to a hybrid role alongside another attacker as the Streda hotshot has played out wide earlier in his career and has showcased his ability to score goals as well as create them.

He produced an outstanding 26 goals and four assists across 35 appearances in all competitions for his current club last season, which included 18 goals in 27 league matches – two more strikes than any Rangers player managed in the Scottish Premiership in that time.

His 1.3 key passes per game across three European Championship qualifiers for Montenegro earlier this year is also more than any Gers striker produced in the league last term, which shows that the talented youngster could suit playing alongside another striker due to his potential creative spark.

Danilo, on the other hand, scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 48 games for Feyenoord throughout the 2022/23 campaign and only created 0.6 Eredivisie chances per clash.

This came after he managed 15 goals and five assists across 26 matches for Ajax's first-team and U21 side combined the previous year.

These statistics suggest that the potential is there for Krstovic, who was once described as a "clinical" forward by journalist Josh Bunting, to be a dream alternative to the Brazilian target due to his superior return in front of goal.

Whilst there is no guarantee that the Montenegro international will be able to translate his form over to Scottish football, Feyenoord's stubborn approach to negotiations for Danilo could force the Light Blues to look elsewhere and the £5m fee for the Streda marksman could represent a worthwhile gamble based on his impressive form last term.

Tottenham Hotspur have well and truly kickstarted the Ange Postecoglou reign with a few key deals and a clear shift in style, but there could be one more incoming to cap off a fine summer of revolution…

Is Elye Wahi joining Tottenham Hotspur?

Although having only been linked earlier this week, it remains a hot topic of conversation that the Lilywhites could be set to involve themselves in the race to sign Elye Wahi.

The Montpellier man, who has enjoyed a fine couple of years in his homeland, has come of interest to many top European clubs seeking to add the lethal 20-year-old to their ranks.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

However, his €40m (£34m) price tag remains a stumbling block, capable of putting off many of his suitors. This would not be the case for Spurs though, as the unusually free-spending nature of Daniel Levy thus far in the window suggests there is no telling who he might bring in next.

How good is Elye Wahi?

To snag a French star from Ligue 1, fresh from an outstanding season, would be to repeat the success of old from within north London.

After all, although his powers might have waned more recently, Hugo Lloris was a famous export from that division, having moved from Lyon back in 2012.

The young shot-stopper joined as part of Andre Villas-Boas' transformative summer, and whilst the Portuguese boss would later be dismissed, his signing has remained for the 11 years following, featuring under seven permanent bosses.

He is a true Spurs legend, having made 447 appearances for the club and becoming the club captain more recently, and was once one of the Premier League's paramount keepers.

During the 2018/19 campaign, he would maintain a 7.12 average rating, buoyed by his 12 clean sheets, 3.1 saves per game at a success rate of 71%, via Sofascore. That was the highest rating of any goalkeeper that year in the league.

Should Wahi join and hit the ground running, becoming even half as influential as the 36-year-old titan came to be, Postecoglou and Levy would both be delighted.

Last term saw the youngster find the net 19 times in the league, assisting a further six. He shows steady progress from the year prior, where he would notch just ten times, suggesting that the sky really is the limit for his scoring.

Such fine form and a rise to prominence have led to praise from many, with ex-Caen academy director Francis de Taddeo noting:

"He is a powerful, athletic and fast player with a range of dribbling skills where only he knows what he is going to do next."

This level of ingenuity and quality could mark a perfect partner or even long-term replacement for Harry Kane, whose future still remains uncertain.

Lloris enjoyed a lengthy stay in north London, and although he remains their player, it is widely accepted that this summer will be his last.

He will likely leave a hero, with former teammate and compatriot Clement Lenglet having suggested so with regard to his national team:

"To all French people, he's a legend because he's a very good person, a very good professional, an amazing goalkeeper. He's one of the best players in the history of the French national team."

Wahi will be hoping to earn that level of fame amongst the Spurs support, who in ten years' time will look back at Lloris' spell with fondness rather than the frustration it ended with.

Chelsea making a late transfer approach for Flamengo attacking midfielder Matheus Franca this summer is “not ruled out”, according to reliable journalist Ryan Taylor.

Is Matheus Franca leaving Flamengo?

Since graduating from his club’s academy to get promoted to the senior fold back in January 2022, Franca has clocked up a total of 54 first-team appearances at the Maracana Stadium, and Jorge Sampaoli’s side are in a very good position to retain his services.

The Brazil U20 international’s contract doesn’t expire for another four years meaning, that the Serie A outfit have every right to demand a hefty fee in order to sanction his sale – but this doesn’t seem to have stopped Todd Boehly and Mauricio Pochettino from showing an interest.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano previously claimed that the Blues have “really appreciated” and “been following” the 19-year-old for a “long time”, but have never actually taken their admiration one step further, though that has seemingly now changed.

Read The Latest Chelsea Transfer News HERE…

Are Chelsea signing Matheus Franca?

Taking to Twitter, Taylor revealed that Chelsea are still open and considering making an official move for Franca, but it’s Premier League rivals Crystal Palace who are currently ahead in the race for his signature.

He wrote: “Crystal Palace set to up offer for Flamengo attacker Matheus Franca. Chelsea approach not ruled out but interest has gone quiet since club-to-club meetings earlier this month.”

Expanding in his column for the Daily Express, the reporter claimed that the SW6 side “held formal discussions” regarding a swoop for their target in recent weeks, but Roy Hodgson’s team are, at this stage, “showing more intent” for the £21m-valued star.

How many goals has Matheus Franca scored?

Since the start of his career and indeed his time at Flamengo, Franca has posted 14 goal contributions (11 goals and three assists) in 59 matches, which is a promising return for an up-and-coming teenager, so should the attacking midfielder put pen to paper, he could be an exciting acquisition for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Rio de Janeiro native currently ranks in the 99th percentile for most successful take-ons and is averaging 1.9 shots per league game compared to those playing at a similar level, showing that he loves to dribble past his marker and take aim at the net, making him a dangerous threat for the opposition’s defence to deal with.

Flamengo’s “big talent”, as hailed by football scout Jacek Kulig, would also provide Pochettino with wonderful versatility having played in six various positions on the pitch since first bursting onto the scene, including across the frontline and two roles in the midfield, making him a great option to have available.

Franca has also already had a small taste of success having secured two pieces of silverware with his boyhood club, and if he was to join a team with a history of trophies like the Blues, his desire to win more would surely only increase, with this potential fire and fighting spirit making him an ideal recruit.

Liverpool have now made an approach for Fluminense midfielder Andre, but they are set to make a decision on Thiago's future before pursuing a deal, with the Reds now open to offers for the midfielder.

Who are Liverpool signing this summer?

Jurgen Klopp has already brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer, with the duo arriving for a combined £115m, but the manager is still keen on additional midfield reinforcements, with Romeo Lavia remaining a target.

The 19-year-old would inject some youth into the manager's ageing side, but the Reds have had two bids knocked back by Southampton already, with the Saints sticking to their £50m valuation of the Belgian starlet.

In the same report, it is detailed that Klopp still wants to sign an additional midfielder even if a deal for Lavia eventually gets done – and Liverpool have recently been linked with a move for Andre.

It has been claimed that an offer of €25m (£21m) for the Brazilian is set to be made in the next few days, with the player himself keen on the move. However, a more recent report suggests the Reds may bide their time.

Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…

According to a report from Anfield Watch, Liverpool have made some progress in their pursuit of the Fluminense ace, having recently approached the Brazilian club, but they may choose to resolve Thiago's situation before taking any further steps.

The Reds are now open to offers for the £200k-per-week maestro, who has just one year remaining on his contract at Anfield, with a new deal not in the pipeline, as a result of his concerning injury record.

A deal for Andre is said to be feasible, with sources from Brazil claiming that a move could be finalised for €30m (£26m) if the full amount is paid, but he would not be permitted to leave for any less than that until the winter.

Is Thiago leaving Liverpool?

It now appears as though there's a good chance the Spaniard could be on the move this summer, which could be a blow for the Reds in some ways, given that he has previously been hailed as "special" by Klopp.

However, the 32-year-old has been absent for far too many games through injury in recent times, missing a total of 22 games last season, and considering he is now approaching the twilight of his career, it may be a wise move to let him leave for a good fee.

There is plenty of evidence that Andre could be a solid replacement for the central midfielder, particularly considering his passing ability, ranking in the 99th percentile for his pass-completion rate per 90 in the past year, when compared to players at a similar level.

Lauded as a "leader" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Brazil international is ten years Thiago's junior, at 22 years old, and he could make a real impact for Liverpool on the front foot, having also been described as a "roaming playmaker" by Kulig.

It would undoubtedly be sad to see Thiago leave the club, but Andre has all the right attributes to be a fantastic long-term replacement.

Liverpool need to move fast if the prestigious Premier League outfit is to reassemble the squad to the desired level before the transfer window closes in several weeks, and bolstering the backline is surely paramount.

Who are Liverpool going to sign?

Reds sporting director Jorg Schmadtke whirred into action swiftly on Merseyside this summer, completing deals for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominick Szoboszlai to combat the mass midfield departures at Anfield.

And while more work is to be done in the centre, the defence needs a fresh face and, as such, Sporting Lisbon centre-half Goncalo Inacio has been linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool this summer.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

And now, according to The Athletic, Liverpool have been 'looking at' the Portuguese titan, who is said to have a €45m (£40m) release clause in his contract.

How good is Goncalo Inacio?

Liverpool's pathway back to success is a little convoluted, but signing Inacio from Sporting Lisbon could be the game-changing acquisition to restore the Reds' trophy-winning credentials.

After falling by the wayside last season and missing out on Champions League football for the first time in seven seasons, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were released upon the expiry of their contracts, while Jordan Henderson and Fabinho compounded the problem by completing transfers to Saudi Arabian sides.

In theory, this could be the solution to the club's quandary, especially after the crux of Liverpool's remarkable breakdown last season was the midfield's inability to protect the backline and control the flow of games, powerlessness to dictate the sequences in a manner that was so intrinsic to Klopp's system until the rust started spreading last year.

To rectify this, a tactical tweak saw the system shift to move the floundering Trent Alexander-Arnold away from the right-back position – where he was exposed far too often and even branded a "training dummy" by journalist Casey Evans after being dismantled by Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. in the Champions League – and move him into midfield in possession in a sort of double-six, enhancing his incredible ball-playing skills.

While this worked impressively – the change kickstarting a superb run of form that saw seven successive league victories, before two draws to close out the season – left-back Andy Robertson has been left in the mud, struggling to perform in a new role – having seen a drop in performances during the latter phase of the term -moving him into a back-three, but with Inacio added to the ranks, such concerns could be swiftly dispelled.

The 21-year-old has made 122 appearances for the Leões, scoring 11 goals and supplying eight assists, and is considered to be perfect for Klopp's system by BBC Sports' Raj Chohan.

He said on Twitter:

"Gonçalo Inácio is the perfect counter-weight to Konaté. Inacio-VVD-Konaté: Build-up conductor. Leader/aerial dominator/switches of play. Immense recovery speed & coverage of space."

Also dubbed the "complete" centre-back by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Inacio ranks among the top 6% of central defenders across Men's 'Next Eight' divisions for pass completion, the top 1% for assists, shot-creating action and progressive passes, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

The two-cap international is also left-footed, meaning that he could slot into the Liverpool set-up like a tailor-made glove, providing the ball-playing ability to complement the high-octane, intense approach and allowing Alexander-Arnold to thrive in his new role.

What it would mean is Robertson would likely lose his place to the younger, dynamic man, but with Liverpool looking to compete for silverware across four competitions this year, healthy competition would only increase the prospects of success.

He would not cost any lower than the £40m fee touted, and if Liverpool do have the means to complete a deal this month, they simply have to throw the kitchen sink at Sporting Lisbon to convince one of the most precocious defensive talents of the current age to move to Anfield and don the famous Red jersey.

Following the departure of Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur's need for a forward is no secret in the closing days of the summer transfer window.

The Lilywhites bid farewell to their star man, who swapped Spurs for Bayern Munich for a reported £86m, leaving the North London club with plenty of funds available to find a replacement. That search has now reportedly led them to out-of-favour Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.

What's the latest on Romelu Lukaku to Tottenham Hotspur?

As they look to replace Kane, Spurs, and by extension chairman Daniel Levy, have made contact over a potential move for Lukaku, according to Calcio Mercato, without anything concrete taking place as of yet.

The move could certainly make sense for both parties, with Spurs in desperate need of a forward, and Lukaku in need of a career revival after struggling in is second spell at Chelsea – scoring just 15 goals – and enduring a transfer saga to forget, which failed to result in moves to either Juventus or Inter Milan.

With time running out in the transfer window, however, the North London club will need to act fast if they are to push on and pursue the Belgian's signature this summer.

They will have to do so by fending off reported interest from West Ham United, and Saudi Arabia, too.

Should Tottenham Hotspur sign Romelu Lukaku?

It's fair to say that Lukaku has had his controversial moments in the last few years, with his interview whilst at Chelsea the pick of the bunch. But, even so, his goalscoring talent still remains true.

At his best, the Chelsea man is a player capable of competing for the Golden Boot – as shown by his 30 goals in all competitions during the 20/21 season – making him an ideal replacement for Kane.

When showing that form, Lukaku has earned plenty of praise, too, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer previously saying, via All Football:

"He is a quality goalscorer. We need to have him more in front of the goal but he has done fantastic in his work rate, attitude, he loves scoring goals, he smiles every day, he does extra shooting in training.

"He has got the goalscorer's quality. He has the quality right foot, left foot."

Statistically speaking, too, Lukaku could be an upgrade on Richarlison, who is Ange Postecoglou's current option. Last season, as per FBref, whilst on loan at Inter Milan, Lukaku scored and assisted more goals than Richarlison, whilst enjoying progressive passes, and more progressive carries than the Brazilian throughout the season.

With that said, the positives seem to be outweighing the negatives, and if you add in the fact that Lukaku has defeated Spurs seven times in his career, the Lilywhites would be solving plenty of problems by securing his signature this summer.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

It's been a case of so far so good for Potecoglou in North London, of course, with his side most recently defeating Manchester United 2-0 following their 2-2 draw on the opening day against Brentford.

If they can now add Lukaku to their side, then Spurs may well be well-placed to compete for a top-four place in the current campaign, and it could be a deal to watch.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler has been a renowned player across Europe for some time now and Crystal Palace could be set to make a move for him, with a new update dropping news on talks between the clubs.

How old is Julian Draxler?

The German has enjoyed an excellent career for club and country, even though injuries have ultimately played a part in him not quite reaching his vast potential. That being said, he has still won 58 caps for Germany, scoring seven goals at international level, not to mention winning the 2014 World Cup.

Now 29 years of age, Draxler has been plying his trade at PSG since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in 2017, making a total of 198 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants. Last season, he was sent out on loan to Benfica, however, and he was restricted to just ten games in the Primeira Liga.

The midfielder is out of contract at his current club next summer, meaning they could be keen to cash in on him before deadline day arrives next Friday night. If not, it means they will likely lose him on a free transfer in 2024, with an extension not expected to come his way, hence his loan move in 2023/24.

With Palace eyeing up some late business in the current transfer window, a potential move for Draxler looks to be on the cards, following an intriguing update.

Will Crystal Palace sign Julian Draxler?

Taking to Twitter, RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins claimed that Draxler is a summer target for Palace, as they eye up an audacious piece of business:

"Crystal Palace is interested in Julian Draxler. First contacts have taken place between Paris and the English club. The German, who has one year left on his contract, is enthusiastic about the idea of ​​​​going to London."

Granted, Draxler's career has gone the way he would have hoped, in terms of the injury layoffs and not becoming a genuine world-beater, but he could still be a really exciting signing by Palace this summer.

His talent is undeniable, having registered 41 assists and scored 26 goals for PSG, not to mention being called "world-class" by Jens Keller, and he could raise the level of everyone around him at Selhurst Park.

Draxler's contract situation means that Palace could also be able to snap him up for a cut-price amount, with PSG not in a particularly strong bargaining position, so it wouldn't necessarily be a financial risk, even given his injury record.

The fact that the player himself is keen on a move to the Eagles certainly bodes well, as he looks for a fresh challenge away from being a fringe player at PSG, and he could add that sprinkling of magic in attacking midfield, possessing the ability to open up defences and also chip in with goals of his own.

Draxler has scored 66 goals and got 80 assists in his professional career to date – that figure would be higher if he had been available more often – and that level of end product could make Palace a greater attacker force, at a time when goals can come at a premium.