Saudi Pro League ready to offer Marcus Rashford a Man Utd escape route as part of three-man transfer shortlist
SAUDI PRO LEAGUE clubs are showing interest in Marcus Rashford, according to reports.
The Manchester United star, 27, admitted this week that he is “ready for a new challenge”.
Rashford was left out of boss Ruben Amorim‘s squad entirely for last weekend’s 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad.
Ahead of the January transfer window, Saudi sides are keen on swooping for the forward.
According to the Telegraph, Public Investment Fund-backed Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli are all interested in Rashford.
While newly-promoted Al-Qadsiah could also make a move.
Whether Rashford would leave European football remains to be seen, particularly given that he wants to resurrect his England career under Thomas Tuchel.
It’s claimed that he’d prefer to move to Spain, although a transfer to Real Madrid or Barcelona is unlikely at this time.
Rashford’s £325,000-a-week contract runs until the summer of 2028, with a fee of around £40million expected to be enough to convince United to sell.
In addition to Rashford, Saudi sides are expected to target Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah next summer, with both set to be out of contract.
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Ahead of tonight’s League Cup quarter-final clash with Tottenham, Amorim admitted that Rashford’s situation has left him feeling “emotional”.
Asked what he would have done during his career if he’d found himself in a similar situation as the forward, Amorim replied: “I would speak with the manager.”
The 39-year-old then added: “It’s hard to explain what I am going to do. I’m a little bit emotional.
“I need to prepare for the game and then we will see. Let’s focus on the team, not individual players.”
Alejandro Garnacho, who was also left out of last Sunday’s Manchester derby, is believed to have travelled south for tonight’s clash with Tottenham.
But Rashford has not been spotted among United’s travelling party.
The United academy product was most recently in action in last Thursday’s Europa League clash with Viktoria Plzen, in which he played 56 minutes.
Prior to that he made substitute appearances against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
His last start came in the 4-0 win over Everton on December 1, a game in which he scored twice.
He also netted against Ipswich in Amorim’s first match in charge.