The deadline for Barcelona to activate their option to sign Marcus Rashford from Man Utd will pass on Monday and at that point United will be open to offers for the forward.
Marcus Rashford is unlikely to return to Barcelona next season
Manchester United will be open to offers for Marcus Rashford next week as the deadline for Barcelona to activate their option to sign the forward on a permanent basis passes.
Barcelona have until Monday to take up the €30million (£26million) option to sign the 28-year-old, who got 14 goals and 14 assists on loan at the Nou Camp last season.
The Catalan giants haven’t told Old Trafford chiefs they won’t be taking that option, which has left United waiting for the deadline to pass. Barcelona have no intention of doing the deal at that price, having signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for £69million.
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As of Tuesday, United will need to be more proactive in finding a buyer for Rashford, having made the decision that the academy graduate won’t be reintegrated into Michael Carrick’s squad, despite having played alongside the club’s former midfielder and been coached by him previously.
United are keen to offload Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages, with that kind of salary no longer fitting within the wage structure at Old Trafford, especially for a player who wouldn’t be guaranteed to start ahead of Matheus Cunha or Patrick Dorgu.
The decision to axe Rashford from the first-team squad after a series of disciplinary indiscretions was taken by Ruben Amorim, but backed by director of football Jason Wilcox, and that stance remains in place.
That leaves Rashford needing to find a new club after being blindsided by Barcelona’s move for Gordon. Although Rashford has offered Gordon advice on life in Catalonia during England’s World Cup camp, it is understood he had been stung by the shock events.
His 28 goal contributions in 49 games last season was an impressive record, and Barcelona could yet return to try and negotiate another loan or a cut-price deal, but it is now considered highly unlikely that Rashford will return to the club of his dreams.
Instead, Bayern Munich are giving serious consideration to a move for Rashford and have been making background checks on the player.
Bayern wanted Gordon before his move to Spain and need competition for Luis Diaz. They also need an alternative to Harry Kane through the middle, having sent Nicolas Jackson back to Chelsea after a season-long loan.
The German giants have been raiding Premier League clubs recently, and Rashford would be considered a big signing in Bavaria and a marketable one at that, with his versatility to fill two positions being important.
There is also expected to be Premier League interest in Rashford, with Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal among the clubs looking to strengthen on the left.
For United’s part, there is hope Rashford will force his way ahead of Gordon into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI during the World Cup and that a good tournament could create more of a market for a player who clearly has something to offer at the highest level, even if his wages will be a stumbling block.
The clock will truly start ticking once England are knocked out of the World Cup. Rashford will be granted three weeks off by United at that point before reporting to Carrington for pre-season training, but that is a scenario they are likely to be keen to avoid.
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