Bayern Munich could reportedly turn their attention to Manchester United's Marcus Rashford if their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane ends in failure.
Having experienced a marked downturn in fortunes during the 2021-22 season, Rashford's future at Old Trafford was being called into question.
However, Erik ten Hag expressed a desire to keep working with the England international, who has reignited his Red Devils career in stellar fashion this season.
Rashford has 21 goals and eight assists to boast from 34 games in all tournaments this term, finding the back of the net 12 times in 23 Premier League appearances.
The 25-year-old's strike in the weekend's 2-0 win over Leeds United saw him score for the fourth top-flight game running, as well as representing his eighth strike from his last nine Premier League games.
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Rashford would have been able to leave Man United as a free agent at the end of the season, but the club triggered a one-year extension option until the summer of 2024 back in December.
With those terms due to expire at the end of next season, though, the Red Devils are working to tie the striker down to a new long-term agreement as a matter of priority.
Should the two parties fail to make headway in talks over a new deal, Bild - via Goal - claims that Bayern could try to lure Rashford to the Bundesliga in the summer.
The German champions are on the lookout for a permanent successor to Robert Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona in the summer after a prolific eight-year spell at the Allianz Arena.
Tottenham talisman Kane has been on the Bavarians' radar, with the England captain also due to become a free agent in 2024 as speculation surrounding his future intensifies.
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Spurs could ultimately be forced into a sale this summer if Kane decides against extending his stay, and it has been reported that the Lilywhites will not sell to a direct Premier League rival.
Such a stance would benefit Bayern's chances of striking a deal, albeit while making Man United more reluctant to part ways with Rashford if Tottenham hold firm and refuse to entertain offers from their English counterparts.
Rashford now has 114 goals and 65 assists to boast from 337 outings in a Man United jersey, and Ten Hag recently affirmed that Old Trafford is the "best place" for the England international to be.
"Of course it's confidential, the talks between clubs and players," Ten Hag told the press. "I think he understands Man United is his club, that's first, but also, in this environment, in this team, I think he is playing his best football.
"Then I would say this is the best place to be because we want to construct the best team, first in England and then in Europe, and then in the world."
Rashford is expected to start when Man United resume Europa League duties in the first leg of their knockout round playoff against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Thursday.
Ben Knapton
