Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has reportedly been contacted by Barcelona and Arsenal, who are interested in signing him in the summer.
According to SPORT, Barcelona and Arsenal are interested in signing Marcus Rashford in the upcoming transfer window. They have established contact with the Manchester United forward to explore the possibility of a move.
The 24-year-old Manchester United academy graduate has endured a torrid 2021/22 campaign. Having missed the early parts of the season due to injuries, Rashford has struggled to hit the ground running since returning to action. In 25 matches so far this term, the England star has produced a paltry tally of just five goals and has largely looked short of confidence whenever he has taken to the pitch.
Rashford’s uninspiring displays have led to him dropping down the pecking order under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who has hardly opted to start the forward in recent weeks. It has led to the player growing frustrated and considering his future at Old Trafford beyond the ongoing season, even though there will be a new manager in charge come summer.
This development has attracted the interest of several clubs in England, including Arsenal, while La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been alerted by the situation. And, it seems like Arsenal and Barcelona have taken a step further by establishing contact with Rashford to assess the possibility of a switch in the summer.
Arsenal are in the market for a new forward, having lost Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January. The Gunners are also set to lose Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah in the summer, with their contracts running down. So, a new striker is an absolute priority for Mikel Arteta, and Rashford, given his proven pedigree in England and his profile, has emerged as a viable target.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are also on the lookout for a marquee summer signing to lead their attack for the next few years. Erling Haaland has been their top priority, but the Norwegian is closing in on a move to Manchester City. As a result, the Blaugrana are forced to look for alternatives, with Rashford popping up on their radars, along with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.
As per the report, Barcelona have been in contact with the Manchester United forward for a while now and see him as a top-level striker who can further evolve at Camp Nou. It is also stated that Rashford would be open to joining the Catalan giants if his situation does not improve. But, Arsenal have also contacted the 24-year-old to try and lure him to the Emirates Stadium.
Rashford’s current contract with Manchester United expires in 2023, although the club can extend it by another year. The report claims that the England international’s market value is around €80 million. The Red Devils will be reluctant to lose him despite his recent struggles. But if the player pushes for an exit, United will likely demand a much higher sum than the €80 million mentioned.