Chelsea explore shock Rashford transfer as Man Utd learn conditions over summer deal

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Suraj Radia | Editor

Chelsea could offer Marcus Rashford a shock route out of Manchester United this summer on one condition, with Barcelona also not ruling out keeping hold of the England international.

Reports emerged this week that Barca would not take up their €30 million option to sign Rashford permanently after his loan spell and Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the 28-year-old would return to Old Trafford after the buyout clause expires next week.

Current ETV

Marcus Rashford

F, M (L)

Barcelona

Marcus Rashford

F, M (L)

Barcelona

€38.6M

ETV Range

€34.7M - €42.5M

View full profile

United have no desire to keep hold of Rashford and are desperate to get his wages off the books, with the likes of Bayern Munich and Aston Villa believed to be monitoring the situation ahead of the transfer window.

However, Chelsea have emerged as an option for Rashford after United tasked intermediaries to find a new club for the forward, with Arsenal also among the sides that have been contacted.

According to Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips, the Blues are open to a deal for Rashford but only on a loan deal due to the player’s high wages.

ESPN report that Barcelona have a similar stance, with the Catalans ‘open’ to another loan or renegotiating a lower fee, however United have no desire to entertain those pathways and could look to demand up to €40m to sell Rashford permanently.

Marcus Rashford: What next for unwanted star after Barcelona and Man Utd chaos?

Rashford finds himself in transfer limbo after lowering his salary demands and giving his commitment to joining his dream club in Barcelona, with the La Liga giants relaxed over a deal following the arrival of Anthony Gordon last month.

Hansi Flick is understood to have preferred to sign Gordon due to his defensive work rate compared to Rashford, while Barca were also reluctant to sanction a big money acquisition of a player who will be 29 in November.

United do not expect Barcelona to make a move for Rashford before the deadline for a deal on 15 June and he is set to return to the club after the 2026 World Cup, although it is unlikely that the ex-Villa loanee will be included in Michael Carrick’s pre-season plans.

Bayern Munich are thought to have explored a transfer for Rashford and could offer him the most feasible path to a transfer but it appears as though United will be forced to adjust their expectations over a fee, with a deal set to drag on throughout the summer.

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