Declan Rice’s past comments about Marcus Rashford now make for interesting reading amid links to Arsenal.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are among the clubs circling Rashford should his loan spell at Barcelona not be made permanent this summer.
Barcelona have a £26 million option to buy but are trying to reduce that figure or arrange another loan instead.
Both United and Rashford are reluctant to revisit the arrangement of him returning to Old Trafford on £315,000 a week, which is understandable from everyone’s perspective, and so Bayern Munich and Arsenal are the names emerging if the Barcelona talks fall through.
You’re Mikel Arteta…who is your NUMBER ONE big summer signing this year?
What Declan Rice said about Marcus Rashford amid Arsenal links
Speaking during the Qatar World Cup in November 2022, Rice had glowing things to say about his England teammate.
“From the moment I came into the England set-up I said Marcus is one of the stand-out people I was so surprised by,” he said.
“He’s lightning quick, his speed, his eye for goal, the way he hits the ball — it’s really special, the technique he’s got on him.
“I know he had a tough year last year but no one ever doubted his quality and to now see him on the biggest stage doing it, it makes me really happy.”
That was 2022. A lot has happened since. And yet.
Could Marcus Rashford be Arsenal’s left winger solution this summer?
Rashford’s season at Barcelona has been quietly impressive. 15 goal contributions in 31 appearances, including a stunning free-kick in the El Clasico win over Real Madrid, make him statistically the best British player in their debut La Liga season by average goal contribution per minute. Ahead of Gareth Bale. Ahead of Jude Bellingham.
He wants to stay, but Barcelona’s primary transfer focus this summer is Julian Alvarez, which leaves his future at the Nou Camp considerably less certain than he would like.
For Arsenal, a left winger is firmly on the agenda. Anthony Gordon looks increasingly likely to move to Bayern Munich, so Andrea Berta will be seeking alternatives.
Does Anthony Gordon REALLY improve Arsenal’s XI? If so, how much are YOU paying for him if you’re Arsenal?
Bradley Barcola is an option, as is RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, though both are likely to command even heftier fees than Gordon already would.
Rashford, however, is available at a cut price. And with Premier League experience and a point to prove, Mikel Arteta could be tempted to bet on himself unlocking his maximum capability.
At least one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli is expected to leave this summer, with the latter perhaps more likely given Trossard’s growing importance in the run-in.
That creates a vacancy. And Marcus Rashford, for all the noise of the past couple of seasons, is a player Rice has always believed in.
But is that really enough to start a conversation? That is the question
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