Chelsea considering Marcus Rashford approach in January?

Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a mid-season approach for Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.

The England international's form took a nosedive under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last term, and he quickly became a bit-part player for his boyhood club.

A move to either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain was mooted for Rashford, who only hit four Premier League goals throughout the 2021-22 season and five in all tournaments.

Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag was determined to retain Rashford's services, and the 24-year-old has enjoyed a revival as Man United's central striker so far this season.

Rashford has three goals and two assists to boast from six Premier League outings as he takes advantage of Anthony Martial's fitness woes and Cristiano Ronaldo's stint on the bench.

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Rashford's long-term future is still the subject of uncertainty, though, as his contract at Old Trafford is due to expire in 2023, although United do possess the option to extend his stay by an additional 12 months.

According to La Repubblica, Chelsea are keeping a watchful eye on Rashford's situation at Old Trafford with a view to potentially moving for the Englishman in the January transfer window.

The report claims that Rashford's versatility would be attractive to new Blues head coach Graham Potter, who could deploy the striker either as the focal point or out on the left-hand side.

Rashford's priority is supposedly to agree an extension with the Red Devils, but Chelsea are not the only side waiting in the wings if he decides to seek pastures new.

Atletico Madrid are also rumoured to be monitoring developments surrounding Rashford's future, although there is optimism between all parties that contract talks with Man United will bear fruit.

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Chelsea and Atletico could expect to cough up a yearly salary of €12m (£10.5m) for Rashford if they were to secure his signature, but the hefty price tag supposedly does not faze either side.

Rashford now has 96 goals and 60 assists to show from 309 outings in a Man United shirt, winning the Europa League and the EFL Cup under Jose Mourinho in the 2016-17 campaign after achieving FA Cup and Community Shield glory one year prior.

Chelsea acquired the services of Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer after sanctioning Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku's exits, but the latter is due to return from his loan spell at Inter Milan at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Atletico are still employing Antoine Griezmann on a temporary basis from Barcelona, but the 31-year-old was once again on the bench for Saturday's La Liga contest with Celta Vigo.

With Diego Simeone hinting that he is under orders not to start Griezmann in order to avoid paying a €50m (£43.7m) clause to make the deal permanent, Barcelona are supposedly seeking legal advice on the matter.