Marcus Rashford has reportedly ‘grown close’ to semi-pro padel player Jaki Palm, sources claim.

The padel player, 23, who showed off her inked shoulder and braided hair, was pictured with the footballer on a luxury trip in St Tropez with friends last week.

The Manchester United star, 27, is said to have connected with the Swedish beauty – who is based in Dubai – when he visited in April. 

A source told The Sun: ‘Marcus went to have rehab for a hamstring injury in Dubai and was introduced to Jaki.

‘She then joined him with his mates and another woman in St Tropez for a holiday. It’s all very casual but Jaki has told her friends she’s grown close to him.

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Marcus Rashford, 27, has reportedly ‘grown close’ to semi-pro padel player Jaki Palm, 23, sources claim (the pair pictured in St Tropez together last week)

The padel player, who showed off her inked shoulder and braided hair, was pictured with the footballer on a luxury trip in St Tropez with friends last week

‘She’s being very coy about it. But Marcus is playing the field like young men his age. He is just having fun in the Premier League off-season and he’s had a rough time with his hamstring so to see him having a laugh is what the doctor ordered.’

MailOnline has contacted Marcus and Jaki’s representatives for comment. 

Jaki, who boasts over 20,000 followers on both of her Instagram accounts, often shares Sєxy selfies and videos of her playing padel. 

Padel, a cross between tennis and squash, is one of the world’s fastest-growing racket sports. 

While enjoying some downtime in St Tropez last week, Marcus continued to raise the stakes in the style department, sporting an outfit worth an estimated £340,000. 

He wore a two-piece Louis Vuitton monogram set worth £2,690, and the highly coveted Nike’s Ben & Jerry’s x Dunk Low SB trainers, as well as a watch on each wrist. 

On his left wrist Marcus appeared to be wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut, a timepiece that is listed at an eye-watering £295,895 on a website that specialises in luxury watches. 

The Rolex watch on his right arm was estimated to have cost around £40,000. 

The Manchester United star is said to have connected with the Swedish beauty – who is based in Dubai – when he visited in April

Jaki, who boasts over 20,000 followers on both of her Instagram accounts, often shares Sєxy selfies and videos of her playing padel

Marcus was last linked to influencer and Love Island star Grace Jackson (pictured last week), with the pair thought to have dated after her first stint on the ITV reality show last summer 

Read More Marcus Rashford’s blonde mystery companion ‘REVEALED’ after Man United star in St Tropez

Marcus was last linked to influencer and Love Island star Grace Jackson, with the pair thought to have dated after her first stint on the ITV reality show last summer. 

But Jackson shed light on the brief coupling during her return to primetime on Love Island: All Stars at the end of last year, saying that she had been inundated with messages from Man United fans shortly after they were linked.  

‘No we were out in a group having food,’ Jackson told her co-star Olivia Hawkins. ‘We weren’t dating but we was chatting a little and texting. 

‘It’s difficult because he can’t go out and just go on a normal date. All these f*****g United fans were like commenting, thousands of comments on my pictures like, ’cause they loved me.

‘When the article came out he scored two goals and he hadn’t scored for like ages, so they said “You fixed him!”‘

‘If it would have been a bit different, because he couldn’t really date so he’d be like “I wanna see you, just come to mine and chill with me” but I’m like, ‘”I don’t really wanna”.’

Grace went onto add that things ‘got weird’ between her and Marcus given the attention on their romance, saying: ‘It just changed the vibe a bit, because everyone knew and there wasn’t anything to know.’

Marcus was previously involved in a long-term, on-and-off romance with his childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi. The couple split for the last time in the summer of 2023. 

Rashford’s French getaway will likely prove a welcome oasis for the England international amid a potentially tumultuous summer.