European giant makes bit for Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford appears to be edging closer to a departure from Manchester United, with a formal bid submitted and his representatives traveling for talks.

The 27-year-old recently stunned fans by expressing his desire for a "new challenge" in an interview with journalist Henry Winter.

A lifelong United supporter and product of the club’s academy, Rashford seems set to leave Ruben Amorim’s squad, citing the immense pressure of being the team’s talisman as a factor in his stalled form this season.

Pundits have long suggested that a move away from Old Trafford might reinvigorate Rashford’s career, and it seems the England international is ready to heed that advice.

Italian giants AC Milan have emerged as frontrunners in the race for Rashford.

According to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Milan have submitted a loan-to-buy offer to Manchester United.

While United’s official response is yet to be revealed, progress could come quickly.

The Athletic reporters Laurie Whitwell and James Horncastle have confirmed that Rashford’s representatives have traveled to Italy for discussions with Milan officials.

However, Milan face competition from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, with further talks planned between Rashford’s camp and these clubs in the coming days.

Given Milan’s relatively limited financial resources compared to United, they reportedly require a significant subsidy of Rashford’s £325,000-per-week wages to make the deal viable.

Former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, now a senior advisor at Milan, is said to be actively pushing for the transfer.

If he joins Milan, Rashford would compete for a spot in the lineup against the likes of Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic, and Tammy Abraham. The move could be a fresh start for the forward, especially after Milan’s recent triumph over Inter in the Italian Super Cup.

While Milan are considered favorites, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Rashford could remain at United under Ruben Amorim if no deal materializes.

Meanwhile, Saudi clubs remain interested but face an uphill battle convincing Rashford to leave European football.

In parallel, United’s efforts to strengthen their attack have hit a snag. Florian Plettenberg reveals that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are challenging United for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres, who reportedly prefers to stay in Portugal until the summer.

Elsewhere, United winger Antony is expected to leave the club soon, with Greek side Olympiacos expressing interest.

However, Fabrizio Romano reports that Antony is holding out for a move to a more prominent European club.

As the transfer window progresses, Rashford’s potential move could mark a significant shift for both the player and Manchester United as they navigate this transitional period under Amorim.