Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain as Bayern Munich have emerged as contenders to sign the England international.
The 28-year-old forward, a product of United’s academy, faces an uncertain path with the Red Devils as they actively seek to move him on.
Manchester United loaned Rashford to Aston Villa in January after he lost his place under manager Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese coach was blunt about his decision, stating, “I’d rather play my 63-year-old goalkeeper coach, Jorge Vital, than Rashford.”
Despite the criticism, Rashford showed flashes of his talent during his stint at Villa, catching the eye of several clubs across Europe.
Aston Villa confirmed on Monday they would not exercise their option to buy Rashford for 40 million pounds, allowing him to return to Manchester United. The Red Devils are now pushing to secure a permanent transfer for the forward, who has no clear future at Old Trafford.
German outlet Bild reported that Bayern have turned their attention to Rashford as their pursuit of Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade stalls. The Bundesliga giants view Rashford as a versatile option, capable of playing on the left wing or as a central striker, fitting their tactical needs perfectly.
Bayern’s scouts have placed Rashford on their “longlist” of targets, behind names like Bradley Barcola, Nico Williams, Rafael Leao, and Luis Diaz. The report noted, “United are said to be demanding around 45 million euros,” a figure Bayern are weighing despite sporting director Max Eberl’s emphasis on financial caution.
Elsewhere, Barcelona’s interest in Rashford, which surfaced earlier this year, appears to have waned. In May, Barcelona sporting director Deco expressed admiration for the forward, saying, “We like Rashford, and we like other players. When we go to the market, there are names that could improve the team.”
However, recent reports suggest the Catalan giants are focusing on other targets, leaving Bayern Munich as a prominent suitor.
Rashford is set to return to Manchester United for pre-season training next month if no deal is finalized. Interest from other clubs, including Inter Milan, Juventus, and several Premier League sides, has been reported, but Bayern’s involvement adds a new dimension to the transfer saga.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are also active in the transfer market, with French outlet Foot Mercato linking them to Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz. The Spanish midfielder, lauded by PSG boss Luis Enrique as “one of my best midfielders,” has drawn attention after a stellar season.
Enrique, reflecting on his decision to omit Ruiz from Spain’s 2022 World Cup squad, admitted last February, “Not taking him was a mistake on my part. He’s very important for us, with a good shot, assists, and ability to play between the lines.”
United face competition from Al-Nassr and other Premier League clubs for the Euro 2024 standout. As the transfer window heats up, Rashford’s next move will be a focal point, with Bayern Munich’s interest signaling a potential new chapter for the talented but unsettled star.
