Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United after the World Cup, but that doesn’t mean he has a route back at his boyhood club.
The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Barcelona and scored 14 goals and registered 14 assists as they won the league. However, despite his impressive form, Barcelona opted not to trigger the £30million buy clause in his loan deal at the same time they wrapped up the £70m signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.
United are still looking to move Rashford and his wages in excess of £300,000-per-week off the books, and there is a £40m exit clause for every club except Liverpool and Manchester City.
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Meanwhile, interest from Barcelona is still there, and Bayern Munich also hold a historic interest in the winger, as well as a host of Premier League clubs.
Speaking to Daily Star Sport via Betway, transfer reporter Ben Jacobs gave the latest on Rashford’s situation at United. He said: “Manchester United are planning for an exit, and there is a clause, except for Manchester City and Liverpool, for £40 million, and yet you may remember there was also a £30m option for Barcelona to buy, which has expired.
“My understanding is Man United are prepared to sell Rashford for the clause or even below the price of the clause because they want Rashford off the books, and it will help pave the way to sign Crysencio Summerville, who is certainly an option.
“Rashford was banking on Barcelona, so the Rashford camp haven’t explored anywhere else because of the World Cup. Bayern have held a historical interest, Premier League clubs have been looking as well, but at this stage, Rashford hasn’t shut the door on Barcelona coming back later in the window.
“Manchester United were informed by Barcelona that they were not going to activate the £30m option to buy, but they were not informed categorically that the pursuit is over, and Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, has already put terms in place with Rashford.
“Barcelona’s priority was Anthony Gordon, and now they have to see whether anything is possible with other targets. If they can’t get their preferred option in Julian Alvarez, there’s still a chance they come back to Rashford.
“Barcelona’s preference is to do a season-long loan and then likely an option or conditional obligation to buy. This is a proposed formula that Manchester United have flatly rejected repeatedly since January.
“Of course, as there becomes more urgency post-World Cup for Manchester United to sell Marcus Rashford, Barcelona may try their luck again. At this stage, Rashford is hoping Barcelona reignite their interest, even though that option-to-buy clause expired on the 15th.”
United are also looking to incomings from the England squad this summer with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers a player greatly admired at United, none more so by Director of Football Jason Wilcox, who has a plan to beat Arsenal to his signature.
Jacobs added: “Arsenal are the leading contender for Morgan Rogers because Rogers is their top choice for that particular position. He can play on the left wing and, obviously, Rogers can play as a No. 10 as well.
“Although we have to respect Aston Villa, and Villa sources, my information is that Villa will sell at the right price. The market is quite inflated, and that’s why Villa will be looking at Anthony Gordon, £70 million to Barcelona, with less time on his contract, the current €130m asking price for Yan Diomande, and with Rogers still under a long contract, they can ask for a substantial fee.
“But before Rogers extended his contract in November last year, when he added an extra year, so he’s now contracted until 2031, both Rogers and Villa were on the same page that offers in excess of £80m would be considered.
“The price still has a question mark as to how high or low it ultimately ends up, but my understanding is that Villa need a big sale and are open to selling Rogers.
“Perhaps some of the reluctance to sell Rogers being reported is because Villa are maintaining a strong negotiating position and, secondly, because Villa have Champions League football and Champions League money, which eases the burden slightly.
“However, they still have to get through the current financial cycle in terms of Financial Fair Play and the last ever cycle of Profit and Sustainability Rules. That’s why a Rogers sale is still looking more likely than unlikely, even though Villa are going to be tough negotiators.
“Arsenal are expected to bid. Manchester United appreciate Rogers as well. Jason Wilcox played a hand in his development at Manchester City, and Michael Carrick worked with him at Middlesbrough.
“Chelsea and PSG should not be entirely discounted, but Arsenal are the club that have been most active at the moment, and they consider themselves the frontrunners.”